Agents of gastroenteritis leave in feces, are carried on poorly washed hands to food or water, and enter a new host through the mouth. What is this route called?
AThe fecal-oral route
BThe vectorborne route
CThe placental route
DThe airborne route
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. The fecal-oral route
1. The portal of entry must give the agent access to tissues where it can multiply.
2. Here the agent exits in feces, rides on hands to a vehicle such as food or water, and enters through the mouth.
3. That exit and entry pattern is named the fecal-oral route, and handwashing is the standard way to break it.
4. Vectorborne transmission needs an insect intermediary, and the placental route crosses from mother to fetus, so neither matches.
_Source: CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, 3rd Edition, section Portal of Entry_
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