Prion contamination can occur through several pathways, including contact with infected tissue, consumption of contaminated food products, and exposure to contaminated medical equipment. In the 1980s and 1990s, the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease," highlighted the risk of prion transmission through the food supply. Similarly, in healthcare settings, surgical instruments can serve as vectors for prion transmission if not properly decontaminated.
