NAVTA Practice Test

Rabies is indeed a classic example of a zoonotic disease, which refers to illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Rabies is caused by a virus that primarily spreads through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites. Once contracted by humans, rabies can lead to severe neurological symptoms and is often fatal if not treated promptly after exposure. The zoonotic nature of rabies is a critical point in public health, as it emphasizes the importance of vaccinating domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, to protect both animal and human populations.

In contrast, parvovirus is primarily a disease affecting dogs and does not typically spread to humans, while Covid-19, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is primarily a human disease although it has origins possibly linked to animal sources (it is not traditionally classified as zoonotic in the same way). Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be transmitted between animals and humans but is more commonly categorized as a dermatophyte infection rather than a classic zoonotic disease like rabies.