What diseases can be potentially spread by house flies?

Prepare for the Kentucky REHS Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes helpful hints and explanations. Enhance your test readiness today!

House flies are significant vectors for a variety of diseases due to their habits and the environments they inhabit. The correct choice highlights diseases that are commonly associated with the transmission potential of house flies.

Typhoid fever, dysentery, and staphylococcal infections are all illnesses that can be spread through the fecal-oral route, which is how house flies facilitate disease transmission. These insects often feed on decaying organic matter, feces, and other unsanitary materials, picking up pathogens on their bodies and in their digestive systems. When house flies land on food, surfaces, or other areas in human environments, they can transfer these pathogens, resulting in illness.

For example, typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which can be transmitted through food or water contaminated by flies. Dysentery, which can be caused by bacteria like Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica, is also spread through contaminated food and water sources that may have been exposed to fly contamination. Staphylococcal infections can result from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which can be present in unsanitary conditions that house flies frequent.

Other options either include diseases that are not predominantly spread by house

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy