Diseases can spread in many ways
Understanding how diseases spread makes them easier to
control and prevent.
Airborne transmission
Airborne transmission occurs when infectious agents are carried by dust suspended in the air. With airborne transmission, direct contact is not needed to spread disease (as compared with respiratory droplet transmission).
Respiratory (droplet) transmission
Some disease-causing bacteria and viruses are carried in the mouth, nose, throat and respiratory tree. They can spread by coming into direct contact with droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through saliva or mucus on unwashed hands. Browse the links below to learn about some of the diseases spread in this way.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Sexually transmitted diseases are Oregon's most frequently reported infections and account for almost two-thirds of all reportable diseases.
Animal or insect transmission
Many microbes that threaten public health are carried by animals or insects and transmitted to humans. Visit the links below to read about these organisms, which animals carry them, and the illnesses they cause.
Food or water transmission
Food and water are necessary for life, but also prone to contamination with harmful microbes. The links below highlight prevention tips and efforts aimed at minimizing risks from foodborne and waterborne pathogens.
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Food safety at home
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FoodNet is a collaborative project between CDC, several states (including Oregon), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Food Net tracks foodborne illness from the following foodborne pathogens:
Campylobacter,
Cryptosporidium,
Cyclospora,
E. coli 0157,
Listeria,
Salmonella,
Shigella,
Vibrio, and
Yersinia.
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Water-related illness
Health care transmission
Doctors and hospitals are where the sick people go, but unfortunately, some infections may be transmitted in these settings. From the links below you can find data on healthcare-acquired infections in Oregon and rules related to the handling of potentially infectious medical waste.