Which mechanism best describes fecal-oral transmission of a foodborne pathogen?

• A. Pathogens in the air from coughing travel large distances and are inhaled, causing respiratory rather than gastrointestinal illness.
• B. Transmission requires direct blood contact between two people and cannot occur from contaminated food or water, because gastrointestinal pathogens cannot survive outside the intestines.
• C. Tiny amounts of fecal matter containing pathogens contaminate hands, surfaces, food or water and are then ingested by another person, causing infection.
• D. Infections occur only when fecal material is intentionally consumed and cannot be transmitted by contaminated surfaces or poor hand hygiene after vomiting or diarrhea episodes.

Answer: (C)