Trypanosomiasis can be acquired via ingestion of contaminated food or drink.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Only via insect bites

Answer: (D)

Trypanosomiasis doesn’t rely on one single transmission route. The African form is primarily spread by the bite of the tsetse fly, but not all trypanosomes share that route. The parasite that causes Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, can be transmitted not only by insect vectors but also through ingestion of food or drink contaminated with the parasite, leading to oral transmission. Because ingestion is a documented route in real-world outbreaks, the statement that Trypanosomiasis can be acquired via contaminated food or drink is true in the appropriate contexts, even though insect bites are a major route for other forms. The key takeaway is that transmission methods vary by species, and oral transmission is a recognized pathway for at least some forms of the disease.