Which explanation correctly distinguishes droplet transmission from true airborne (aerosol) transmission?

• A. Droplet transmission occurs only through contaminated food, while airborne transmission always requires insect vectors to disperse particles between hosts.
• B. Droplet and airborne transmission are identical in mechanism and differ only in the pathogen's species name; there is no practical distinction for infection control purposes.
• C. Droplet transmission involves relatively large respiratory droplets that typically travel short distances and deposit on surfaces or mucosa, whereas airborne transmission involves small aerosolized particles that can remain suspended and travel longer distances in air.
• D. Droplet transmission refers to bacteria only and airborne transmission refers to viruses only; therefore, control measures for droplet pathogens are never effective against airborne pathogens.

Answer: (C)