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

Which of these types of diseases would be most difficult to prevent from entering and infecting animals in the U.S?

1. A disease of various species that has wild birds as a reservoir

2. A disease of swine that has a short incubation period and is highly fatal

3. Highly contagious disease of cattle

4. A disease of cattle transmitted by a tick vector

The correct answer is: A disease of various species that has wild birds as a reservoir

The reasoning behind selecting a disease that has wild birds as a reservoir as the most difficult to prevent from entering and infecting animals in the U.S. is rooted in the nature of reservoirs and how they facilitate the spread of diseases. Wild birds are highly mobile and can traverse long distances, carrying pathogens that can infect a variety of species, including domestic animals. Their migratory patterns make it challenging to monitor and control the diseases they may carry, allowing for unregulated and rapid transmission. Additionally, diseases that are maintained in wildlife reservoirs often do not require direct contact with infected domestic animals for the pathogen to be introduced into a population. This means that even with stringent biosecurity measures and monitoring protocols in place for domestic animals, the presence of wild birds can lead to inadvertent infections. In contrast, diseases specific to a narrower range of animal hosts, like those that affect swine or cattle, may have more identifiable transmission routes, making them easier to manage through targeted control measures. Conditions with short incubation periods and high fatality rates can often be swiftly identified and contained once a case is recognized, while highly contagious diseases among livestock can be controlled through vaccination and strict quarantine processes. Tick-borne diseases also offer a defined vector, which can be targeted for control