Consider the following statements regarding disease nomenclature and origin:

1. The influenza pandemic of 1918-1920 is sometimes called the Spanish flu because it originated in Spain.

2. Trichophyton (T.) indotineae, a newly identified fungus, was first discovered in India, confirming its origin in the country.

3. The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for assigning names to new diseases through a consultative process that includes member states.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 3.

In News

• Experts and dermatologists have objected to the naming of the Trichophyton (T.) indotineae fungus, arguing that it is misleading and does not align with WHO’s guidelines, which discourage geographical references in disease nomenclature.

Key Points

• The 1918-1920 influenza pandemic is called the Spanish flu, but it did not originate in Spain.
  • Spain, being neutral during World War I, freely reported on the outbreak, while other warring nations suppressed news to maintain morale.
  • This led to the false perception that Spain was the source of the pandemic.
    • Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Trichophyton (T.) indotineae was first identified in patients from India and Nepal by Japanese dermatologists in 2020, but its origin is not confirmed.
  • The fungus has now been reported in over 40 countries, making it unclear whether it truly originated in India.
    • Hence, Statement 2 is incorrect.
• The WHO is responsible for assigning names to new diseases under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) through a consultative process involving its member states.
  •  This process ensures scientific appropriateness, neutrality, and avoidance of geographical or cultural bias in disease names.
    • Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Additio nal Information

• WHO discourages geographical names to prevent misinformation, stigma, and racial prejudice (e.g., monkeypox renamed as mpox).
• Historical renaming: WHO has also renamed diseases associated with controversial figures, such as Reiter’s Syndrome, now called reactive arthritis, due to Hans Reiter’s ties to Nazi-era unethical experiments.