Which zoonotic disease is associated with tick bites?

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted through tick bites, specifically by the bite of an infected tick, primarily the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. This disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, and it is well-documented that ticks serve as vectors, carrying the pathogen from one host to another, affecting both animals and humans.

The other options listed relate to different types of diseases. Canine distemper is a viral disease that primarily affects dogs and is not transmitted via ticks. Heartworm disease is also not zoonotic; it is transmitted through mosquito bites and affects primarily dogs and cats. Parvovirus, which can affect dogs, is a contagious viral disease that is not transmitted by ticks, but rather through direct contact with infected feces.

Therefore, the correct association of Rocky Mountain spotted fever with tick bites highlights the significance of tick control and awareness in preventing this illness in both humans and animals.