Which of the following is true regarding animal production systems?

Intensive and backyard animal production systems each play a role in the emergence and reemergence of diseases due to the ways in which animals are managed and interact with their environments. Intensive production systems, which typically involve a high density of animals, can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases due to close quarters, stress, and the constant movement of animals and people. Additionally, these systems often rely on antibiotics and other interventions that can lead to the development of resistant pathogens.

On the other hand, backyard animal production can also contribute to disease emergence, albeit in different ways. In these smaller-scale operations, animals are often kept in closer contact with humans, other animal species, and even wildlife, which can foster the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Such settings may lack the biosecurity measures that larger farms might employ, making them susceptible to outbreaks.

Both production types contribute uniquely to health risks and disease dynamics, highlighting the importance of considering all scales of animal husbandry in discussions about global health and disease management. Thus, the assertion that both intensive and backyard production can contribute to disease emergence captures the complexity of animal production systems and their potential impacts on public health.