Question

Identify the correct option.

Assertion (A): Famines cause epidemics.

Reason (R): Forced use of contaminated water or decaying food lead to the outbreak of diseases.

• A. A and R are false.
• B. A is true. R is false.
• C. A and R are true. R explains A.
• D. A and R are true. R does not explain A.

Answer 1

The correct option is C A and R are true. R explains A.

Famine is a situation that is characterised by widespread deaths due to starvation. Due to hunger and starvation, people are forced to consume contaminated water and decaying food. This leads to the outbreak of epidemics during a famine. Since the body is weak and malnourished, epidemics spread more easily. Thus, epidemics are one of the consequences of famines.