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

Which of the following best describes the characteristics of a disease that may have multiple reservoirs?

1. Low transmissibility

2. High mutation rates

3. Various species reservoirs

4. Vector-borne transmission

The correct answer is: Various species reservoirs

The characteristic that best describes a disease with multiple reservoirs is the presence of various species reservoirs. Diseases that can exist across different host species demonstrate a complex ecology where the pathogen can be maintained and transmitted among different animal populations, or even humans. This diversity in reservoirs allows the disease to persist in the environment due to the varying susceptibility and immune responses of different species. Multiple reservoirs can aid in the spread of the disease, as it may infect domestic animals, wildlife, or human populations, leading to challenges in control and management. Understanding the roles of various species in the transmission cycle is crucial for developing effective surveillance and control strategies. While factors like low transmissibility and high mutation rates are critical aspects of some diseases, they do not specifically relate to the concept of having multiple reservoirs. Similarly, although vector-borne transmission can be a mode of transmission for some diseases, it is not a defining characteristic related to the presence of multiple reservoirs.