Which of the following best defines zoonotic diseases?

Zoonotic diseases are defined as infections that are transmitted from animals to humans. This definition encompasses a wide range of illnesses caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, which can originate in animals and then be spread to people. Understanding zoonotic diseases is crucial in public health, as they can arise from both domestic and wild animals and can affect humans in various ways, often depending on factors such as human-animal interactions, habitat encroachment, and the nature of the pathogen itself.

Diseases transmitted from plants to humans, or those that are only found in urban areas, do not align with the established understanding of zoonotic infections. Likewise, conditions caused solely by environmental pollutants are not related to zoonotic diseases because they pertain to non-biological sources of illness. Thus, the emphasis on transmission specifically from animals to humans effectively captures the essence of zoonotic diseases.