What is the most common zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans?

The most common zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans is rabies. Rabies is a viral infection that primarily spreads through the bites of infected animals, most commonly from bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.

Rabies is particularly notable due to its severe implications; once clinical signs appear, the disease is almost universally fatal. This high fatality rate highlights the critical importance of vaccination for pets and the prompt treatment after potential exposure to infected animals.

While other options like toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, and brucellosis are also zoonotic diseases, they are transmitted in different ways or have different prevalence rates. Toxoplasmosis usually spreads through ingestion of contaminated food or water, especially undercooked meat or cat feces, whereas Lyme disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Brucellosis is often contracted through unpasteurized dairy products or direct contact with infected livestock. Therefore, each of these diseases presents different risks and transmission pathways, but rabies remains the most prevalent and dangerous zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans.