What term refers to a disease that can be transferred from animals to humans?

The term that refers to a disease that can be transferred from animals to humans is "zoonotic." Zoonotic diseases originate in animals but can infect humans, often through direct contact with the animal, through bites, or via indirect contact through environmental sources such as contaminated water or surfaces. Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, West Nile virus, and Ebola, highlighting the significant interaction between human and animal health.

The other terms, while related to diseases, do not specifically denote the animal-to-human transmission. "Pathogenic" pertains to organisms capable of causing disease but does not indicate the source. "Contagious" refers to diseases that can be easily spread between individuals—typically among humans. "Infectious" encompasses a broader category that includes diseases caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria and viruses, regardless of their transmission routes. Thus, "zoonotic" is the most accurate term for animal-to-human disease transfer.