Viral infections spread readily through drinking water and food due to what factor?

Viruses are unique among pathogens because they can be highly infectious even in small quantities. The infectious dose refers to the amount of a pathogen required to cause infection in a host. In the case of many pathogenic viruses, the infectious dose is relatively low, which means that even a tiny amount of the virus can lead to an outbreak. This is particularly concerning for water and foodborne viruses, as they can quickly contaminate these mediums and spread to a large number of people.

For example, viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A have been known to cause widespread outbreaks through contaminated water and food supplies. Since these viruses can survive outside a host and can be resistant to many common disinfection processes, their ability to spread effectively contributes to their high infectious nature. Understanding this attribute is crucial for public health interventions and controlling the spread of viral infections, especially in settings like restaurants and water treatment facilities.