noun
- Objects or materials that can harbor and transmit infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses, from one person to another.
Usage: Medical/scientific term; Usually used in plural form; Common in epidemiology and public health contexts
Examples
- Doorknobs and light switches are common fomites in hospitals.
- During the pandemic, people disinfected fomites like groceries and packages.
- The virus can survive on fomites for several hours or days depending on the surface.
- Healthcare workers must be careful to prevent transmission through fomites.
- Shared phones and tablets are potential fomites in office environments.
- Proper cleaning of fomites is essential to reduce disease spread in schools.