What type of disease is transmitted between animals and humans?

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This transmission can occur through direct contact with infected animals, through zoonotic vectors such as insects, or indirectly through environmental sources contaminated by animal waste, blood, or saliva. The significance of zoonotic diseases lies in their ability to cross species barriers, leading to potential outbreaks in human populations.

In contrast, other types of diseases mentioned do not describe this animal-to-human transmission specifically. Epizootic diseases refer to outbreaks occurring in animal populations, while infectious diseases encompass a broader category that includes diseases spreading between humans, animals, or plants. Contagious diseases are typically those that spread from one individual to another of the same species, often within human populations. Thus, the term that most accurately defines diseases that can be transmitted specifically between animals and humans is zoonotic.