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

Which of the following statements is true about reservoir hosts?

1. They engage in direct transmission of pathogens

2. They never exhibit signs of illness

3. They facilitate pathogen survival

4. They are synonymous with fomite hosts

The correct answer is: They facilitate pathogen survival

The statement that reservoir hosts facilitate pathogen survival is accurate and highlights a critical aspect of their role in the ecology of infectious diseases. Reservoir hosts are species that harbor a pathogen without suffering significant adverse effects themselves. This characteristic allows the pathogen to persist in the environment, often in populations that are otherwise healthy. By supporting the pathogen's lifecycle, reservoir hosts can transmit the disease to other species, including those that may be susceptible and can exhibit severe illness. Thus, these hosts play a crucial role in maintaining the pathogen within an ecosystem, contributing to its persistence and potential spread to other animals or humans. The other statements do not precisely fit the definition of reservoir hosts. For instance, while some reservoir hosts may never show signs of illness, it is not universally true, as some may exhibit mild symptoms. Additionally, direct transmission is typically associated with different transmission routes, while fomite hosts refer to inanimate objects that can harbor pathogens, which are distinct from the concept of reservoir hosts.