What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the location of a specific outbreak (e.g., Morocco 2025) and provide other countries as close distractors (e.g., Algeria, Tunisia). They may also swap the numbers between deaths and total cases (e.g., 5,000 cases vs. 5,000 deaths).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Over 250,000 suspected measles cases in DRC (2019). 2. Target this Nodal Body: World Health Organization (WHO) for global disease surveillance. 3. Target this Risk Factor: Porous international borders facilitating disease importation.

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WHO Reports Measles Outbreaks in Bangladesh, DRC (2019: 250k cases) and Morocco (2025), Highlights Cross-Border Risk for India

Q: Which international organization's global surveillance data is cited in the article to show the pattern of measles outbreaks?

World Health Organization (WHO), The article explicitly mentions "WHO’s global surveillance over the past decade" and refers to "WHO’s Disease Outbreak News" reports documenting outbreaks in various countries.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the measles outbreaks mentioned in the article: 1. In 2019, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported over 250,000 suspected cases of measles. 2. In 2025, the WHO reported a major nationwide measles outbreak in the country of Algeria. 3. The immediate drivers of the Bangladesh outbreak include immunity gaps and disruption in vaccine delivery. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is incorrect; the 2025 outbreak reported by WHO was in Morocco, not Algeria. Statement 3 is correct, as the article lists immunity gaps and vaccine delivery disruption among the immediate drivers in Bangladesh.

Q: According to the WHO report from 2019 mentioned in the article, how many deaths were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the measles outbreak?

Over 5,000 deaths, The article specifically states that the DRC outbreak in 2019 resulted in "over 5,000 deaths." The other options are plausible but incorrect distractors.

Q: As per the article, what is the primary reason why the measles outbreak in Bangladesh poses a specific risk to India?

The border between India and Bangladesh is long, active, and porous in several stretches., The article directly states that India should monitor the situation because "the border is long, active, and porous in several stretches," which facilitates the potential importation of the virus into under-immunized pockets in India.

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Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

14 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:Over 100 child deathsOver 250,000 suspected cases (DRC 2019)Over 5,000 deaths (DRC 2019)

Bodies:WHOUNICEF

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella campaign after reporting over 100 child deaths and thousands of suspected cases, driven by immunity gaps and vaccine delivery disruptions.

2.WHO's global surveillance data shows a wider pattern, including a major 2019 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with over 250,000 suspected cases and 5,000+ deaths, and a 2025 outbreak in Morocco.

3.For India, the primary risk is importation of the virus across its porous border with Bangladesh into areas with low vaccination coverage, which could lead to localized outbreaks.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

A measles outbreak in Bangladesh, with over 100 child deaths, serves as a critical warning for India due to the long and porous border. The WHO's global surveillance highlights recurring outbreaks in regions like the DRC and Morocco, underscoring that importation into pockets of under-immunized populations can trigger national health emergencies.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Reported Deaths in BangladeshOver 100 child deaths

DRC Outbreak (2019)Over 250,000 suspected cases

DRC Deaths (2019)Over 5,000 deaths

WHO-Reported Outbreak (2025)Morocco

1-Minute Revision

›Reported Deaths in Bangladesh: Over 100 child deaths
›DRC Outbreak (2019): Over 250,000 suspected cases
›Target this Data: Over 250,000 suspected measles cases in DRC (2019).
›Target this Nodal Body: World Health Organization (WHO) for global disease surveillance.
›Target this Risk Factor: Porous international borders facilitating disease importation.

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News Snapshot

🚨

Cross-Border Health Risk

The porous India-Bangladesh border creates a significant risk of measles virus importation into areas with low immunization rates in India.

📈

Global Outbreak Pattern

WHO data shows measles outbreaks are a recurring global issue, with major surges in the DRC (2019), Nepal, Ethiopia (2022-23), and Morocco (2025).

💉

Immunity Gap Drivers

Outbreaks are fueled by missed routine vaccinations, vulnerable infants, and disruptions in vaccine supply chains due to political instability and stock management issues.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Measles, a highly contagious viral disease preventable by vaccine, remains a global public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have long highlighted that declining vaccination coverage, even by small margins, can lead to rapid resurgence of the virus, as seen in multiple countries over the past decade.

Core Analysis & Implications

The Bangladesh outbreak is a proximate warning for India. The virus can regroup quickly where immunity gaps exist. India's border with Bangladesh is long and porous in stretches, facilitating cross-border movement. The critical danger is not importation alone, but importation into clusters of under-vaccinated populations, which can spark local transmission. This underscores the need for robust surveillance and maintaining high routine immunization coverage, especially in border districts.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

India must strengthen its disease surveillance network along the border and ensure high vaccination coverage through its Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Proactive catch-up vaccination drives in vulnerable pockets are essential. Collaboration with Bangladesh on public health initiatives and information sharing can help manage cross-border health risks more effectively.

Key Facts at a Glance

Reported Deaths in BangladeshOver 100 child deaths

DRC Outbreak (2019)Over 250,000 suspected cases

DRC Deaths (2019)Over 5,000 deaths

WHO-Reported Outbreak (2025)Morocco

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which international organization's global surveillance data is cited in the article to show the pattern of measles outbreaks?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the measles outbreaks mentioned in the article:

1. In 2019, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported over 250,000 suspected cases of measles.

2. In 2025, the WHO reported a major nationwide measles outbreak in the country of Algeria.

3. The immediate drivers of the Bangladesh outbreak include immunity gaps and disruption in vaccine delivery.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the WHO report from 2019 mentioned in the article, how many deaths were reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the measles outbreak?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

As per the article, what is the primary reason why the measles outbreak in Bangladesh poses a specific risk to India?

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WHO Reports Measles Outbreaks in Bangladesh, DRC (2019: 250k cases) and Morocco (2025), Highlights Cross-Border Risk for India

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Cross-Border Health Risk

Global Outbreak Pattern

Immunity Gap Drivers

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance