Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

How can the vector(s) for heartwater be spread?

1. Only through cattle

2. Both human hosts and cattle

3. Only through animals

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Heartwater is a disease caused by the protozoan parasite *Ehrlichia ruminantium*, which is transmitted primarily through ticks, especially species like *Amblyomma*. The spread of heartwater is influenced by various hosts, including livestock, such as cattle, and wildlife that can carry the ticks. The disease is primarily associated with animals; however, the presence of human activities can also facilitate the spread of the ticks that harbor the parasite. For instance, movement of infected animals can lead to the geographical spread of ticks. Thus, while humans are not direct hosts for the parasite, they can influence the dynamics of tick populations and disease transmission through practices associated with livestock management. Since heartwater can be associated with more than one type of host and given that various factors can contribute to its transmission, the most comprehensive and accurate answer reflects that the disease's vectors can be spread through animals as well as human activities involved with those animals. This justifies the selection of the option that encompasses all potential pathways, demonstrating a clear understanding of the multifactorial nature of disease transmission in this context.