What does the term 'reservoir' refer to in infection control?

The term 'reservoir' in the context of infection control refers to a location where pathogens can live and multiply. This concept is fundamental in understanding the transmission of infections because reservoirs can include humans, animals, or environmental sources where infectious agents thrive. Identifying reservoirs is crucial for implementing effective infection control measures, as it allows healthcare providers to target their strategies to eliminate or mitigate the source of infection.

For instance, knowing that a specific bacterium can thrive in a particular type of soil can inform cleaning protocols in healthcare facilities when there is an outbreak of an infection linked to that bacterium. By addressing the reservoir, infection control practitioners can help reduce the risk of infection transmission.