Which of the following serves as a primary reservoir for zoonotic diseases?

Animals, including both wildlife and domestic pets, are the primary reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and various species of animals harbor pathogens that can cause illness in humans. Wildlife often carries zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can then spill over into human populations. Domestic pets, such as dogs and cats, can also be reservoirs for zoonotic diseases like rabies, toxoplasmosis, and various gastrointestinal infections.

In contrast, while humans can indeed carry and spread some diseases, they are typically not considered reservoirs for zoonotic diseases because they are not the primary source of these pathogens. Pests, such as insects, may act as vectors, transmitting diseases from animals to humans, but they do not serve as primary reservoirs themselves. Soil and water can contain pathogens, but they are not living organisms that host these diseases, which is a key characteristic of true reservoirs.