(a) Why should we not let water collect anywhere in the neighborhood? (b) Name one animal disease caused: (i) by virus (ii) by bacteria (iii) by fungus

Preventing water accumulation in neighborhoods is critical because stagnant water serves as the primary breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are vectors for life-threatening diseases including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus. Female mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, and larvae develop through several stages over 7-10 days before emerging as disease-carrying adults. Even small amounts of water in discarded containers, tires, flowerpots, blocked drains, or puddles can support mosquito breeding. By eliminating these water sources, communities can dramatically reduce mosquito populations and interrupt disease transmission cycles, making this simple environmental management one of the most effective public health interventions.

One animal disease caused by a virus is foot-and-mouth disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, causing fever, blisters in the mouth and on hooves, excessive salivation, and reduced productivity. Anthrax is a serious bacterial disease affecting livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) caused by Bacillus anthracis, which can also infect humans through contact with infected animals or their products, causing skin lesions or severe systemic illness. Ringworm, despite its misleading name, is a fungal disease affecting various animals including cattle, dogs, cats, and horses, caused by fungi like Trichophyton and Microsporum, producing circular patches of hair loss with scaly, crusty skin that can also transmit to humans through direct contact.