West Coast EMT Block One Exam

Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via:

1. animals or insects

2. direct contact

3. smoke or dust

4. inanimate objects

The correct answer is: animals or insects

Vector-borne transmission refers to the process by which infectious organisms, such as bacteria or viruses, are transmitted to humans or other hosts through a vector, which is typically an animal or insect. This method of transmission often involves a carrier that can harbor the pathogen and facilitate its spread. For example, mosquitoes are common vectors for diseases like malaria and dengue fever; they become infected by feeding on the blood of an infected host and then transmit the pathogen to another individual through their bite. Similarly, ticks can carry Lyme disease and other infections, transmitting these pathogens when they attach to a host. Direct contact approaches refer to scenarios where pathogens are transferred through physical touch or interactions between individuals, which is not characteristic of vector-borne transmission. Smoke or dust and inanimate objects could also be involved in transmission routes but do not pertain to vector-borne pathways, as these methods do not involve living carriers that can transport infectious agents within their bodies to another host. Therefore, the correct choice clearly identifies the entities responsible for carrying and transmitting the infectious organisms through biological means.