Which of the following diseases is zoonotic?

• A. Parvovirus
• B. Tetanus
• C. Tuberculosis
• D. Rabies

Answer: (D)

Zoonotic means a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Rabies is the classic example, since it can be passed to people through bites or contact with the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected animal, making it a direct and well-known animal-to-human disease. In practice, preventing exposure involves vaccinating at-risk animals, avoiding contact with wild or stray animals, and providing prompt post-exposure treatment for people who might be exposed.

The other options don’t fit as clearly as zoonoses in typical settings. Tetanus arises from environmental spores and isn’t spread from animals. Parvovirus tends to affect specific animal hosts and isn’t generally transmitted to humans. Tuberculosis can involve humans and animals in some contexts, but rabies is the most straightforward and widely recognized example of a zoonotic disease.