WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOMITE AND VECTOR - Science - Why Do We Fall Ill

Question

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOMITE AND VECTOR

Surabhi Gupta · Accepted Answer

Vector

Fomite

A
vector is any organism that passes on a disease to a health
person

Any
object that can facilitate horizontal bacteria transmission of
bacteria or virus (person to person)

Always
a living organism

It
refers to the non- living things through which infection is
transmitted

The
vectors may act as intermediate host for the completion of part of
life cycle of pathogen

Fomite
cannot act as an intermediate host

Vectors
are specific for the disease they spread

Almost
every object on earth could theoretically act as a
fomite

For
example female Anopheles mosquito spreads malaria
parasite

E g
handkerchief, towels, clothes, syringes etc used by infected
person

Vector	Fomite
A vector is any organism that passes on a disease to a health person.	Any object that can facilitate horizontal bacteria transmission of bacteria or virus (person to person).
Always a living organism	It refers to the non- living things through which infection is transmitted.
The vectors may act as intermediate host for the completion of part of life cycle of pathogen.	Fomite cannot act as an intermediate host.
Vectors are specific for the disease they spread.	Almost every object on earth could theoretically act as a fomite.
For example female Anopheles mosquito spreads malaria parasite.	E.g. handkerchief, towels, clothes, syringes etc. used by infected person.