Virology USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A hospital epidemiologist investigates a viral outbreak on the oncology ward affecting 12 immunocompromised patients presenting with fever (38.5°C), cough, and diarrhea. Vital signs show HR 102/min, RR 20/min, BP 118/76 mmHg, SpO2 98% on room air. Chest X-ray reveals no infiltrates. The outbreak was rapidly controlled using routine handwashing with detergent-based soap and environmental disinfectants, with no new cases emerging after implementation. Which viral property most likely rendered the causative pathogen susceptible to these containment measures?
Answer choices
- APresence of a lipid envelopeCorrect answer
- BSegmented genome
- CUse of reverse transcriptase
- DReplication in the nucleus only
- ELack of a capsid
- FDouble-stranded RNA genome
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