What is the primary method of transmission for the plague?

The primary method of transmission for the plague is vector-borne, which means that it is primarily spread through the bites of infected fleas, specifically those that live on rodents such as rats. These fleas carry the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is responsible for the disease. When an infected flea bites a human, it can transmit the infection, making vector-borne transmission the most common pathway for the spread of the plague.

While inhalation can occur, especially in cases of pneumonic plague where the bacteria infect the lungs and can be transmitted via respiratory droplets, this is not the primary mode of transmission for the initial infection typically associated with the plague. Foodborne transmission does not play a significant role in the spread of the plague either, as it primarily does not involve food contamination. Vector contamination would suggest a non-specific means of transfer and does not accurately describe the established pathways for plague transmission. Therefore, understanding that vector-borne transmission is the main route helps clarify why other methods of transmission are less relevant in the context of the plague.