Final answer:
Airborne transmission refers to the spread of diseases through inhalation of pathogens carried in droplets from an infected person's respiratory secretions. Diseases can also spread via indirect contact with contaminated surfaces and through vectors such as ticks and mosquitoes which transmit infectious pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Airborne transmission is a common route through which communicable diseases are spread. This occurs when pathogens, such as those causing the flu and the common cold, are carried in droplets expelled by an infected person via coughing or sneezing. These pathogens are then inhaled by nearby individuals, potentially resulting in new infections.
In addition to airborne transmission, pathogens can also be transferred through indirect contact with contaminated objects or surfaces, known as fomites. Moreover, emerging viral diseases can spread quickly due to modern transportation, such as air travel, allowing diseases to move across continents rapidly.
Another method of transmission is via vectors, whereby diseases are spread through animals or insects that carry the pathogen. For example, Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of ticks that carry the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Vector transmission is also behind diseases like malaria and yellow fever.