Step 1: Understanding Communicable Diseases
Communicable diseases are infections that spread from person to person, usually through direct contact, bodily fluids, or insect vectors. They are also referred to as "transmissible" diseases because of their capacity to spread between individuals.
Step 2: Analyzing the options
- (A) "Epidemics" → Incorrect. An epidemic signifies a widespread disease outbreak in a specific area, not a synonym for communicable diseases.
- (B) "Transmissible" → Correct. Communicable diseases are also known as transmissible diseases as they spread from one person to another.
- (C) "Rodent" → Incorrect. Rodents are animals that can be disease vectors, but "rodent" is not a synonym for communicable diseases.
- (D) "Contaminated" → Incorrect. Contaminated means made impure or harmful, but it is not a synonym for communicable diseases.
Step 3: Conclusion
Option (B) is the correct answer. Communicable diseases are also called transmissible diseases because they can be transmitted between individuals.