Pathogens spread in different ways, so the best way to reduce the spread depends on the route.
- Cholera spreads in contaminated water, which has been polluted by the faeces of infected people. Spread is reduced by providing clean drinking water, treating sewage and good hygiene.
- Tuberculosis is airborne. It spreads in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Spread is reduced by covering the mouth when coughing, isolating infected people, vaccination and treatment with antibiotics.
- Chalara ash dieback is also airborne, because the fungus releases spores that are carried by the wind. Spread is reduced by destroying infected trees and restricting the movement of ash trees.
- Malaria is spread by animal vectors. A vector is an organism that carries a pathogen from one host to another. The vector for malaria is the mosquito. Spread is reduced by mosquito nets, insect repellent and draining standing water where mosquitoes breed.