Science Olympiad Disease Detectives Practice Test 2025 - Free Disease Detectives Practice Questions and Answer Guide

Question: 1 / 400

A hairbrush carrying lice would be an example of which type of object?

Fomite

A hairbrush carrying lice is classified as a fomite because it is an inanimate object that can transfer pathogens or parasites, such as lice, from one host to another. In this scenario, the hairbrush serves as a vehicle for the lice, which can be transmitted to another individual who uses the brush.

Fomites are commonly involved in the spread of various infectious diseases, especially those that require close personal contact or the sharing of personal items. This is different from vectors, which are typically living organisms, like insects, that actively transmit pathogens. While a reservoir refers to an environment or host where a pathogen can live and multiply, a source generally denotes the initial point of infection. Hence, the hairbrush is best categorized as a fomite, highlighting its role in indirect transmission of lice.

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