JCH-NACA Animal Control Officer Practice Test

The term that accurately describes the transmission of disease through inanimate objects is "fomite." Fomites are any surfaces or materials that can harbor pathogens, making them capable of transferring infections when they come into contact with a living organism, such as a human or animal. Common examples of fomites include doorknobs, utensils, and clothing, which can all become contaminated with infectious agents and facilitate the spread of disease.

In contrast, other terms in the question refer to different modes of disease transmission or interactions. "Vector" typically refers to living organisms, such as insects, that carry and transmit pathogens to hosts. A "carrier" refers to an organism that harbors a pathogen without showing symptoms but can still infect others. A "host" is a living organism that supports the growth and reproduction of the infectious agent. Understanding the distinction among these terms is essential for recognizing how diseases spread and for implementing effective control measures in public health and animal control contexts.