Which of the following describes a situation where disease is transmitted from animals to humans?

A zoonotic disease specifically refers to any disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This term encompasses a wide range of conditions, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that have an animal origin. Understanding zoonotic diseases is crucial for veterinarians, wildlife specialists, and laboratory animal technicians because these professionals frequently work with animals and may be at a higher risk of transmission.

In contrast to zoonotic diseases, contagious diseases are typically those that can spread directly from one infected individual to another, regardless of species. Endemic diseases refer to diseases that are regularly found within a particular geographic area or population, but they are not exclusively animal-to-human transmissions. Infectious diseases may be caused by pathogens and can affect both animals and humans, but they do not specifically indicate the role of animals as the source of transmission. Therefore, the term zoonotic specifically captures the essence of animal-to-human disease transmission, making it the correct choice in this context.