What is the primary mode of transmission for salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food. This disease is caused by the bacteria Salmonella, which is often found in raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, and occasionally in unwashed fruits and vegetables. When individuals ingest these contaminated foods, the bacteria can thrive in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to infection.

The other modes listed, such as inhalation, direct contact, and vector-borne transmission, are not the primary methods of how salmonellosis spreads. Inhalation is more relevant to respiratory infections, direct contact may relate to skin infections or diseases spread through bodily fluids, and vector-borne transmission typically involves insects or animals spreading pathogens like malaria or Zika virus among hosts, which does not apply to salmonellosis. Thus, the correct understanding of salmonellosis emphasizes the importance of food safety, cooking meat properly, and practicing good hygiene in food preparation to prevent infection.