Inanimate objects that carry pathogenic microorganisms and thus can serve as the source of infection. Microorganisms typically survive on fomites for minutes or hours. Common fomites include CLOTHING, tissue paper, hairbrushes, and COOKING AND EATING UTENSILS.

'Cooking and eating utensils' are tools or instruments made of various materials, such as metals, ceramics, glass, or silicone, that are specifically designed and used for preparing, serving, and consuming food during meal preparations and dining occasions.

The study of microorganisms living in a variety of environments (air, soil, water, etc.) and their pathogenic relationship to other organisms including man.

Fabric or other material used to cover the body.

A species of temperate bacteriophage in the genus P22-like viruses, family PODOVIRIDAE, that infects SALMONELLA species. The genome consists of double-stranded DNA, terminally redundant, and circularly permuted.

A measure of the amount of WATER VAPOR in the air.

Removal of moisture from a substance (chemical, food, tissue, etc.).

The transmission of infectious disease or pathogens. When transmission is within the same species, the mode can be horizontal or vertical (INFECTIOUS DISEASE TRANSMISSION, VERTICAL).