What are zoonotic diseases?

Zoonotic diseases are defined as diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. This transmission can occur through various pathways, such as direct contact with an infected animal, consumption of contaminated food or water, or bites from vectors like ticks or mosquitoes that have previously fed on infected animals. Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, Lyme disease, and avian influenza. Understanding zoonotic diseases is crucial in fields like public health and mortuary science, as they can have significant implications for both human health and the management of animal populations.

The other choices do not accurately describe zoonotic diseases. Some may refer to various transmission mechanisms (like only insects), but zoonotic diseases can be transmitted via a broader range of vectors and mechanisms beyond insects. Similarly, stating that these diseases only affect livestock or only occur in humans neglects the variety of hosts involved in zoonotic transmission and the multitude of species that can serve as reservoirs for these pathogens.