Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

What is a widespread bacterial zoonotic disease commonly found in wild animals?

1. Salmonella

2. Distemper

3. Chlamydiosis

4. Rabies

The correct answer is: Salmonella

Salmonella is a widespread bacterial zoonotic disease that can be found in various wild animals. This bacterium can infect a range of animal species, including reptiles, birds, and mammals. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and Salmonella is particularly notable due to its prevalence in both wildlife and domesticated animals. In the wild, animals may carry Salmonella without showing symptoms, which poses a risk when humans come into contact with contaminated environments or ingest contaminated food. It's important for wildlife rehabilitators to be aware of the potential for Salmonella transmission when handling wildlife, as proper sanitation and hygiene practices are critical in preventing zoonotic disease transmission. The other choices relate to different types of diseases, but they either are not bacterial or do not exhibit the same widespread incidence in wildlife as Salmonella. For example, both Distemper and Rabies are viral diseases, and Chlamydiosis is caused by a specific bacterium but is less commonly encountered across a broader range of wild animal species compared to Salmonella.