What term is used to describe pathogens transmitted from animals to humans?

The correct term for pathogens transmitted from animals to humans is vector transmission. This concept refers specifically to the process by which certain organisms, known as vectors (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas), carry pathogens from one host to another. In the context of zoonotic diseases, vectors can facilitate the jump of infectious agents from animal reservoirs to humans, leading to outbreaks of diseases such as Lyme disease or West Nile virus.

While other terms like vehicle transmission refer to the transmission of pathogens via inanimate objects (like food or water), and contact transmission deals with the direct or indirect transfer of pathogens between individuals through physical touch or contaminated surfaces, these do not specifically encompass the animal-to-human dynamic characteristic of vector transmission. The incubation period refers to the time between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms, which does not address the route of transmission itself.