What type of transmission involves contaminated food or water?

The type of transmission that involves contaminated food or water is classified as common vehicle transmission. This occurs when an infectious agent is transmitted to multiple individuals through a shared source, such as food or water that has been contaminated.

In this context, "common vehicle" indicates that the pathogen is present in a single source, which then spreads the infection to those who consume or come into contact with that source. For example, an outbreak of food poisoning can occur when a group of individuals consumes food that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria, leading to a widespread infection among them due to the common vehicle—the tainted food.

Understanding this concept is crucial in public health and safety measures to identify, control, and prevent outbreaks caused by shared sources of infection.