Zoonotic Diseases and Public Health Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the epidemiological concept of 'spillback' in the context of zoonotic diseases?

Answer: When a human-adapted pathogen is transmitted back to a wild animal reservoir

Spillback describes reverse transmission where a pathogen that originated in animals (or adapted in humans) is transmitted back into a wildlife or domestic animal reservoir.

Leptospirosis transmission to veterinary staff most commonly occurs through which route?

Answer: Contact of mucous membranes or abraded skin with urine of infected animals

Leptospires penetrate through mucous membranes or skin abrasions upon contact with urine or urine-contaminated fluids, making urogenital procedures and urine handling highest risk.

Monkey B virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1) is an occupational hazard for which group, and what is the case fatality rate in untreated human infections?

Answer: Macaque handlers and laboratory workers; approximately 70-80% fatality rate

B virus causes encephalomyelitis in humans with a 70-80% fatality rate if untreated; macaque handlers and laboratory workers are at primary risk through bites, scratches, or mucosal splash.

A veterinarian performing a necropsy on a cow that died acutely without premonitory signs in an anthrax-endemic region should FIRST:

Answer: Examine a blood smear from a peripheral vessel BEFORE opening the carcass

In suspected anthrax, opening the carcass is contraindicated as it exposes spores to oxygen and promotes sporulation; a peripheral blood smear should be examined first to confirm Bacillus anthracis.

Which zoonotic pathogen is the most common cause of bacterial foodborne illness in the United States, with poultry being the primary reservoir?

Answer: Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is the most frequently identified bacterial cause of foodborne diarrheal illness in the US, with poultry serving as the primary reservoir and undercooked chicken as the primary vehicle.

In rabies serosurveillance, what titer of virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA) is considered acceptable evidence of response to rabies vaccination in dogs under the USDA standard?

Answer: ≥0.5 IU/mL by RFFIT or FAVN

The WHO and USDA recognize ≥0.5 IU/mL as the minimum acceptable titer by RFFIT or FAVN for demonstrating adequate rabies vaccine response in animals and for international travel requirements.

West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance in veterinary public health most commonly uses which sentinel species to detect amplification in a geographic area?

Answer: Wild corvids (crows, ravens) as dead-bird surveillance indicators

American crows are highly susceptible to WNV and die rapidly after infection; dead crow surveillance is a cost-effective early warning system for WNV amplification in an area.