What term describes the process of a disease being passed from one individual to another?

The term "transmission" specifically refers to the process of a disease being passed from one individual to another. In medical terminology, transmission encompasses various modes through which pathogens can spread, such as direct contact, airborne routes, or vector-borne pathways. Understanding transmission is crucial in public health and infection control as it informs strategies to prevent the spread of diseases.

While "infection" refers to the establishment of a disease in the host after the pathogen has entered the body, and "propagation" is a broader term that may relate to the increase or spread of viruses or bacteria in various contexts, it is not specifically focused on the act of transferring the disease between individuals. "Contamination" typically refers to the presence of an unwanted substance or pathogen, rather than the active process of spreading a disease. Therefore, the term that best describes the process of passing a disease from one person to another is transmission.