An inanimate object that can carry an agent from a reservoir to a susceptible host (e.g., food, water, blood products, and bedding). See also: Transmission, Indirect)
Richard C. Dicker, (Lead Author), Fatima Coronado, Denise Koo and Roy Gibson Parrish, Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice (Glossary of Epidemiology Terms), 3rd Ed., Developed by: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), Office of Workforce and Career Development, Career Development Division, Career Paths to Public Health Program, Scientific Education and Professional Development Program Office, GA, The Public Health Foundation, EXCITE!: Excellence in Curriculum Innovation through Teaching Epidemiology and the Science of Public Health, http://www.cdc.gov/excite/library/glossary.htm, USA 2006. (Epid - Amer) {686}