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

What refers to diseases affecting both humans and animals?

1. Transboundary diseases.

2. Zoonotic diseases.

3. Emerging diseases.

4. Endemic diseases.

The correct answer is: Zoonotic diseases.

Zoonotic diseases are defined as diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. This category includes a wide range of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi, which can cause illness in either or both species. The transmission can occur through direct contact, indirect contact via the environment, or through vectors like insects. Recognizing zoonotic diseases is crucial for public health and veterinary medicine, as they pose significant risks to human health, especially with increasing interactions between humans and wildlife. Transboundary diseases typically refer to infectious diseases that can spread across borders, affecting livestock and wildlife; however, they do not inherently imply a zoonotic nature. Emerging diseases are newly identified or previously unrecognized diseases that are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range, which can include zoonotic diseases but may also refer to diseases that solely affect animals or humans. Endemic diseases are those that are consistently present in a particular geographic area or population but do not necessarily involve transmission between species.