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Outbreaks of diphtheria occasionally occur - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 32 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 32
Outbreaks of diphtheria occasionally occur. Which statement is the most likely explanation for outbreaks of diphtheria? A. Mutations produce a new strain, which mean... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outbreaks of diphtheria occasionally occur - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 32 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which statement is the most likely explanation for outbreaks of diphtheria?
Answer
The most likely explanation for outbreaks of diphtheria is option B: Herd immunity is lost due to parents choosing not to vaccinate their children.
Explanation:
Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely. When many parents choose not to vaccinate their children, the immunity in the community decreases, leading to a higher risk of outbreaks as non-immune individuals become susceptible to infection. This is a well-documented phenomenon in epidemiology, as lower vaccination rates can directly correlate with the resurgence of preventable diseases.