What is one method by which tuberculosis (Tb) can be transmitted?

Tuberculosis (Tb) is primarily transmitted through the air via respiratory droplets. When a person with active pulmonary tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, or talks, they release tiny droplets that can be inhaled by others nearby. This method of transmission explains why close contact, such as nose-to-nose interaction, is a significant risk factor for spreading the disease. Animals, particularly certain domesticated animals, can carry strains of tuberculosis and give rise to zoonotic transmission under specific circumstances; however, this is not the most common method of transmission among humans.

In contrast to this correct method, eating contaminated fruits, using public restrooms, or exposure to infected birds are not established methods of transmitting tuberculosis. Contaminated fruits are more associated with foodborne diseases, while public restrooms generally do not facilitate the airborne transmission characteristic of Tb. Furthermore, exposure to infected birds pertains more to avian diseases rather than the spread of tuberculosis in humans. Thus, the most accurate representation of how tuberculosis can be transmitted among the options given is through close contact, such as nose-to-nose interactions between animals.