Which of the following diseases was NOT prevalent before the 20th century?

Which of the following diseases was NOT prevalent before the 20th century?

• A. Typhoid
• B. Cholera
• C. Dengue Fever
• D. Dysentery

Answer: (C)

Dengue fever is the disease that was not prevalent before the 20th century. This mosquito-borne viral infection became more widely recognized and documented in the 20th century, particularly as urbanization and global travel increased, facilitating the spread of the Aedes mosquito that transmits the virus. In contrast, typhoid, cholera, and dysentery have been documented for centuries, with significant outbreaks occurring long before the 1900s. Typhoid fever was known as far back as ancient Rome, while cholera has had several pandemics since the early 19th century. Dysentery, characterized by diarrhea with blood, has also been recognized since ancient times and has been associated with poor sanitation and contaminated water supply. This historical context establishes dengue fever as a relatively modern public health concern compared to the others listed.

Dengue fever is the disease that was not prevalent before the 20th century. This mosquito-borne viral infection became more widely recognized and documented in the 20th century, particularly as urbanization and global travel increased, facilitating the spread of the Aedes mosquito that transmits the virus.

In contrast, typhoid, cholera, and dysentery have been documented for centuries, with significant outbreaks occurring long before the 1900s. Typhoid fever was known as far back as ancient Rome, while cholera has had several pandemics since the early 19th century. Dysentery, characterized by diarrhea with blood, has also been recognized since ancient times and has been associated with poor sanitation and contaminated water supply. This historical context establishes dengue fever as a relatively modern public health concern compared to the others listed.