Final answer:
A disease transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans is known as a zoonotic disease, with examples such as rabies and avian influenza. These diseases can vary in their mechanism of transmission and may require vectors like insects for spreading.
Step-by-step explanation:
Any infectious disease or infection that can be transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans is classified as a zoonotic disease or zoonosis. Examples of zoonotic diseases include rabies, which is a viral disease spread from animals to humans through bites and contact with infected saliva, and avian influenza, a virus originating in birds but capable of causing disease in humans. Some diseases require vectors such as insects or arthropods for transmission, such as yellow fever, transmitted through mosquito bites, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, transmitted via tick bites.
A communicable disease that can be easily transmitted from person to person, such as measles or gonorrhea, is classified based on the ease of transmission and the direct effect of a pathogen. While all these diseases are infectious, they differ in their mechanism of spread and the degree to which they are contagious.