Which of the following is NOT a link in the chain of infection?

Infection control relies on understanding the chain of infection, which includes several key links that must exist for an infection to spread. The identified links include the infectious agent, the reservoir where the agent lives and multiplies, the portal of entry into a susceptible host, the mode of transmission, and the portal of exit from the reservoir.

Waste disposal does not serve as a direct link in this process. While proper waste disposal is crucial in preventing the spread of infection by removing potentially infectious materials, it is not one of the essential links in the chain of infection itself. Understanding the chain allows healthcare technicians to implement effective infection control measures, focusing on breaking one of the existing links to prevent disease transmission.