Which type of transmission occurs among animals in the current generation in a facility?

Which type of transmission occurs among animals in the current generation in a facility?

• A. Vertical transmission
• B. Diagonal transmission
• C. Linear transmission
• D. Horizontal transmission

Answer: (D)

Spread of infection within the same generation is horizontal transmission. This occurs when an infectious agent moves from one animal to another in the same cohort—through direct contact, shared cages or water bottles, contaminated surfaces or equipment, aerosols, or vectors. In a facility, the current generation can pass a pathogen to its peers even though there is no parent-offspring relationship. Vertical transmission, by contrast, is from parent to offspring, such as through the placenta or milk. The other terms aren’t standard ways to describe disease spread in this setting, so they don’t fit.

Spread of infection within the same generation is horizontal transmission. This occurs when an infectious agent moves from one animal to another in the same cohort—through direct contact, shared cages or water bottles, contaminated surfaces or equipment, aerosols, or vectors. In a facility, the current generation can pass a pathogen to its peers even though there is no parent-offspring relationship. Vertical transmission, by contrast, is from parent to offspring, such as through the placenta or milk. The other terms aren’t standard ways to describe disease spread in this setting, so they don’t fit.