A person that harbors a specific infectious agent in the absence of clinical symptoms and can serve as a potential source of infection is known as a ____________.

The term that accurately describes an individual who harbors a specific infectious agent without showing any clinical symptoms, yet can still transmit the infection to others, is a carrier. Carriers play a crucial role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, as they may unknowingly spread pathogens to susceptible individuals, leading to outbreaks or the persistence of an infection within a population.

While the term "asymptomatic individual" may seem relevant, it typically refers to someone who shows no symptoms but may or may not have the potential to transmit the infection. In contrast, a carrier specifically denotes someone known to harbor the infectious agent and specifically indicates their role in disease transmission. Thus, designating someone as a carrier emphasizes their potential to affect public health despite their lack of illness.