vector
Description:
A carrier of a disease-causing agent from an infected individual to a non-infected individual or its food or environment; for example, mosquitoes carrying malaria parasites
Context:
In food safety, a vector is any living organism that can carry and spread a pathogen, parasite, or harmful substance from one host to another. Common examples include insects, ticks, rodents, or birds that transmit bacteria, viruses, or parasites to animals, plants, or food.
EFSA studies vectors to understand how diseases and contaminants can move through the food chain. By assessing the risks posed by vectors, EFSA helps design strategies to prevent outbreaks, control the spread of pathogens, and protect public health in the EU.