Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

How is hookworm most commonly transmitted to humans?

1. Through contaminated food

2. By penetration of skin

3. Via airborne particles

4. Through water contamination

The correct answer is: By penetration of skin

Hookworm is most commonly transmitted to humans by penetration of the skin. This occurs when the larvae of the hookworm, which are commonly found in contaminated soil, come into contact with human skin. The larvae can penetrate the skin, usually when a person walks barefoot on infected ground. This method of transmission is characteristic of specific types of parasitic infections, distinguishing them from other diseases that might be transmitted through different routes. The other options involve modes of transmission that do not apply to hookworms. For instance, while food contamination can lead to various infections, hookworms are primarily associated with direct skin contact rather than ingestion. Airborne particles typically refer to infections spread through respiratory droplets, which is not relevant for hookworm. Lastly, although water can be a medium for many pathogens, hookworms are not transmitted through water contamination; they are more associated with soil and the environment where the larvae thrive. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the direct and specific route of infection associated with hookworms.