With regards to rabies, which statement is FALSE?

The statement that rabies is one of the world's most contagious and easily transmitted viruses is false. Rabies is not characterized by high contagion in the way that many other diseases are, such as influenza or measles, which can spread easily through respiratory droplets between individuals. Instead, rabies is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the saliva of an infected animal, most commonly through bite wounds. This mode of transmission requires direct inoculation into the body, which makes it far less contagious when compared to airborne diseases.

While rabies has a significant impact on global health, particularly in regions with high populations of unvaccinated stray dogs, the method of transmission is much more limited. Contrary to highly contagious diseases, rabies does not spread easily from human to human, which is a critical factor in understanding its epidemiology. Additionally, the emphasis on wild mammals as reservoirs highlights the role of specific animal populations in transmitting the virus to humans, but this is not indicative of the disease's contagiousness in general human populations.