Listeriosis is commonly associated with:

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which is primarily associated with contaminated food. This pathogen can be found in a variety of foods, particularly ready-to-eat deli meats, unpasteurized dairy products, and certain raw vegetables.

The reason food is the key vehicle for Listeria transmission lies in its ability to grow in refrigerated environments, unlike many other pathogens that don't thrive at low temperatures. As a result, foodborne outbreaks often originate from improperly handled, stored, or processed foods. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially at risk for contracting listeriosis from contaminated food.

The other options, while they could involve pathogens and transmission routes for different diseases, are not the primary associations for Listeria monocytogenes. Contaminated water is typically linked with other illnesses. Infections related to animals such as mice and birds do not have a direct link to listeriosis, as they are not common vectors for this specific bacterium.