What is a communicable disease?

A communicable disease (infectious/contagious) can be transmitted from one person to another.

Methods of transmission:

• Direct contact touching, kissing (e.g., cold sores)
• Droplets coughing, sneezing (influenza, TB, COVID-19)
• Contaminated food/water cholera, typhoid
• Vector-borne mosquitoes (malaria, dengue)
• Blood/body fluids HIV, hepatitis B

Prevention: Vaccination, hygiene, sanitation, vector control.

Summary: A communicable disease spreads from person to person through direct contact, air, water, food, or vectors like insects.