What are zoonotic diseases?

Zoonotic diseases are defined as illnesses that are transmitted from animals to humans. This includes a wide range of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi, that can be carried by animals and subsequently infect humans. The significance of zoonotic diseases is underscored by their impact on public health and the economy, especially since many emerging infectious diseases in humans have animal origins.

Understanding zoonotic diseases highlights the complex interactions between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, particularly in the context of environmental changes and human encroachment on natural habitats. This relationship emphasizes the importance of veterinary medicine, wildlife management, and public health initiatives in controlling the spread of such diseases.

In contrast, the other options fail to capture the essence of zoonotic diseases: some refer solely to diseases affecting animals without acknowledging the human impact, while others misattribute the cause to human interaction with the environment or limit the scope to only viral diseases, overlooking the diversity of pathogens involved.