Which statement about indirect transmission is true?

• A. It happens through direct contact
• B. It happens through air only
• C. It happens through contact with an intermediate object
• D. It happens only through water

Answer: (C)

Indirect transmission involves a mediator between the source and the new host. The statement about contact with an intermediate object captures this idea, as a contaminated object (fomite) can transfer the pathogen when touched and then contacted to the mouth, nose, or eyes. Direct transmission, by contrast, happens with immediate person-to-person contact. Saying it occurs only through air or only through water mischaracterizes indirect transmission, which can involve various vehicles beyond a single medium.