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UPSC Essentials daily subject quiz : International Relations MCQs (Week 162) — Check out answers with explanations

2026-05-18 · 2 min

UPSC CSE Context Why in News: WHO declared Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. Syllabus Connection: International Relations: global health governance, bilateral trade, maritime geography. Exam Relevance: Prelims: map based questions on ports, disease outbreaks, trade partners. Mains: India's strategic partnerships, health security. Core Issue Stakeholders: Netherlands UAE Static Knowledge High Value Background: Ebola is a zoonotic virus causing hemorrhagic fever; Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccines. Gulf of Oman connects Arabian Sea to Strait of Hormuz; key ports include Fujairah, Chabahar, Sohar. Exam Linkage: Useful for questions on global health emergencies, strategic ports, and India's trade partnerships. Concepts in Context: PHEIC: WHO's highest alert level for extraordinary events with international spread risk. Strait of Hormuz: strategic chokepoint for global oil shipments. Institutions and Mechanisms: WHO: coordinates glo

## UPSC CSE Context **Why in News:** WHO declared Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. **Syllabus Connection:** International Relations: global health governance, bilateral trade, maritime geography. **Exam Relevance:** Prelims: map-based questions on ports, disease outbreaks, trade partners. Mains: India's strategic partnerships, health security. ## Core Issue **Stakeholders:** - Netherlands - UAE ## Static Knowledge **High-Value Background:** - Ebola is a zoonotic virus causing hemorrhagic fever; Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccines. - Gulf of Oman connects Arabian Sea to Strait of Hormuz; key ports include Fujairah, Chabahar, Sohar. **Exam Linkage:** - Useful for questions on global health emergencies, strategic ports, and India's trade partnerships. **Concepts in Context:** - PHEIC: WHO's highest alert level for extraordinary events with international spread risk. - Strait of Hormuz: strategic chokepoint for global oil shipments. **Institutions and Mechanisms:** - WHO: coordinates global health emergency response. - Indian Semiconductor Mission: promotes semiconductor ecosystem in India. ## Dynamic Analysis ### Health Security - Ebola PHEIC highlights gaps in vaccine development for rare strains like Bundibugyo. - DRC and Uganda at high risk due to land borders; international coordination critical. - Global health emergencies test WHO's response capacity and member state compliance. ### Geography and Maritime Security - Port of Fujairah in Gulf of Oman offers alternative to Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments. - Chabahar Port (Iran) and Sohar Port (Oman) are strategic for India's connectivity to Central Asia. - Maritime chokepoints like Hormuz are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, affecting energy trade. ## Prelims Takeaways - Ports in Gulf of Oman: Fujairah, Chabahar, Sohar, Duqm. ## Mains Value Addition **Arguments:** - Global health emergencies require robust international health regulations and vaccine R&D. - Diversification of trade routes reduces dependence on chokepoints like Strait of Hormuz. **Examples:** - Tata Electronics-ASML MoU for semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat. **Counterpoints:** - Bundibugyo virus lacks approved vaccines, complicating outbreak control. - Alternative routes via Gulf of Oman may increase shipping costs. ## Way Forward - Invest in R&D for vaccines against rare Ebola strains. - Strengthen WHO's early warning and response mechanisms. - Develop alternative maritime routes and port infrastructure to reduce chokepoint risks.

Source: News

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