Which of the following is NOT a fecal-oral transmission route for animal-associated pathogens?

• A. Contact with hair coat, bedding, pen surfaces
• B. Ingestion of contaminated water
• C. Direct inhalation of aerosols
• D. Ingestion of contaminated food

Answer: (C)

Fecal-oral transmission means the pathogen reaches the mouth as a result of ingestion of material contaminated with feces. In the animal setting, this happens when hands or objects contaminated with feces transfer the pathogen to the mouth, such as contact with hair coats, bedding, or pen surfaces, or when water or food contaminated with feces is swallowed. Inhalation of aerosols is a respiratory route; you breathe in the particles rather than ingesting them, so it does not fit the fecal-oral pattern. While some pathogens can spread via airborne particles, that is a different route of transmission.