What is one common method to control the spread of infectious diseases?

One common method to control the spread of infectious diseases is vaccination. Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens, thereby providing immunity against diseases that can be caused by these pathogens. When a significant portion of the population is vaccinated, it creates herd immunity, which protects those who are unable to receive vaccines (such as individuals with certain health conditions) and helps limit the overall transmission of the infection. Vaccination has been instrumental in controlling and even eradicating diseases in some cases, such as smallpox.

In contrast, other methods listed may not effectively address the root causes of infectious disease transmission. For example, banning certain foods may address a specific outbreak related to foodborne illnesses but does not provide a broad strategy to combat infectious diseases as a whole. Eliminating all bacteria is impractical and unnecessary since many bacteria are beneficial for human health, and completely eradicating them can disrupt ecosystems. Restricting movement could limit exposure, but it is often not a sustainable or acceptable long-term solution for controlling infectious diseases on its own.