A disease whose incidence has recently increased in an area, with potential for significant health impacts in animals or humans.

• A. Zoonotic
• B. Emerging
• C. Exotic
• D. Transboundary

Answer: (B)

Emerging diseases are those whose incidence has recently increased in a particular area or population and that have the potential to cause significant health effects in animals or humans. This description fits because it focuses on a recent rise in cases locally and the possible impact on health, which is exactly what defines an emerging disease.

Zoonotic refers to diseases that can spill over from animals to humans, but that transmission aspect doesn’t by itself require a recent rise in incidence. Exotic means not previously seen in the area, but again the key point here is the recent increase, not just novelty. Transboundary involves spread across borders, which is about geographic movement rather than a local uptick in cases.