Categorisation of Diseases – UPSC Prelims

Sporadic cases,

Clusters of cases

Community transmission.

These are a small number of cases (one or more) either imported or detected locally

Cluster transmission has been used by Indian authorities to identify infections that are largely concentrated in a limited locality. The disease concentration is often within a family and its extended circle.

Under this, cases detected in the past 14 days are predominantly limited to well-defined clusters. Further, the disease detected will not directly be linked to imported cases.

It means that the epidemic has become so widespread in a community. Further, it gets difficult (if not impossible) to determine who is passing on the infection to whom.

In simple terms, Community Transmission is classified when the source of the infection is not known.

CT will happen when new cases in the last 14 days cannot be traced to those who have an international travel history or to any specific cluster.

Countries such as the United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, France have labelled themselves as being in ‘community transmission’.

However, among the countries with the most number of confirmed cases, Italy and Russia do not label themselves as being in community transmission.

India is registering the highest number of cases globally every day. But the World Health Organization(WHO) Report mentions, India is yet to label itself in the category of community transmission(CT).

Currently, India has labelled itself in the category of ‘cluster of cases’ category.

India’s refusal to describe itself as being in community transmission had an effect on how authorities addressed a pandemic.

Under Cluster Transmission, the government gives priority to testing, contact tracing and isolating to prevent further infection.

On the other hand, under community transmission, the government prioritises treatment and observing advisories to stay protected.