Which term best describes diseases transmitted from animals to humans?

Which term best describes diseases transmitted from animals to humans?

• A. Vector
• B. Zoonosis
• C. Endemic
• D. Quarantine

Answer: (B)

Diseases that move from animals to people are described by the term zoonosis. This label specifically refers to infections that occur naturally in animals and can be transmitted to humans, through direct contact, handling of animal products, or environmental pathways. It covers a range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, and helps distinguish these cross-species transmissions from other concepts. For example, rabies, brucellosis, and certain influenza strains are classic zoonoses. To see why the other terms don’t fit: a vector is a living intermediary that transmits a pathogen (like a mosquito spreading malaria), not the disease category itself. Endemic describes how common a disease is in a region, not its animal-to-human origin. Quarantine is a control measure used to prevent spread, not a description of a disease’s source.

Diseases that move from animals to people are described by the term zoonosis. This label specifically refers to infections that occur naturally in animals and can be transmitted to humans, through direct contact, handling of animal products, or environmental pathways. It covers a range of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, and helps distinguish these cross-species transmissions from other concepts. For example, rabies, brucellosis, and certain influenza strains are classic zoonoses.

To see why the other terms don’t fit: a vector is a living intermediary that transmits a pathogen (like a mosquito spreading malaria), not the disease category itself. Endemic describes how common a disease is in a region, not its animal-to-human origin. Quarantine is a control measure used to prevent spread, not a description of a disease’s source.