Consider the following statements: 1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue. 2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both statements are correct, so the answer is C.

Statement 1 is correct. Zika is a flavivirus carried mainly by Aedes aegypti, the same mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya. In tropical and subtropical areas the diseases share vectors, breeding sites and control measures, which is why vector control remains the main public health response.

Statement 2 is also correct. Zika can persist in semen far longer than in blood, and sexual transmission from infected men to partners has been documented. WHO advises safer sex or abstinence for infected men and for couples planning pregnancy, because the virus is linked to microcephaly and other fetal harm.

• Option A is wrong because it ignores the documented sexual route in statement 2.
• Option B is wrong because statement 1 is accurate: Aedes aegypti transmits Zika.
• Option D is wrong because both statements are factually sound.

Core concept: vector-borne versus non-vector transmission of arboviruses. Mains link: GS-II and GS-III on public health, maternal and child health, and urban vector control.

Trap: Aspirants assume Zika spreads only through mosquitoes and pick A, or confuse the vector with Anopheles, which carries malaria.