Which statement about disease susceptibility and wildlife is supported by the material?

• A. Wildlife are susceptible to Hemorrhagic Septicemia, but not to Rabies
• B. Wildlife are susceptible to Rabies but not to Foot and Mouth Disease
• C. Wildlife are susceptible to Malignant Catarrhal Fever but not to Hemorrhagic Septicemia
• D. Wildlife are susceptible to all listed diseases

Answer: (D)

Wildlife can harbor and become infected by a broad range of pathogens, so susceptibility isn’t limited to domestic animals. Rabies is well established in wildlife reservoirs across many species, from bats to carnivores, making wildlife susceptibility to rabies clear. Hemorrhagic septicemia affects wild ruminants as well as domestic livestock, showing wildlife’s vulnerability to this bacterial disease. Foot-and-mouth disease can involve wildlife hosts, especially in susceptible wild bovids and related species, indicating wildlife can be affected. Malignant catarrhal fever naturally involves wildlife, with reservoir hosts like wildebeest driving infection that can spill over to cattle and other wildlife. Putting all these together, wildlife are susceptible to all listed diseases, which is why that option is supported.