Which of the following statements is true about zoonotic diseases?

• A. They can be transmitted only from humans to animals.
• B. They can be transmitted only from animals to humans.
• C. They can be passed from animals to humans and humans to animals.
• D. They are never contagious.

Answer: (C)

Zoonotic diseases are infections that can be transmitted between animals and humans. The true statement reflects that cross-species transmission can occur in either direction, not just one way. Some diseases move from animals to people, others can spread from people back to animals, and many have the potential to do both depending on the organism and circumstances. For example, rabies is primarily acquired from animal exposure, illustrating animal-to-human transmission, while other pathogens have been shown to circulate between humans and animals, especially in close-contact settings or shared environments. The idea that they are never contagious is incorrect, since many zoonoses can spread among humans after the initial animal-to-human spillover.