In the context of epidemiology, the term "trojan horse" is used metaphorically to describe a mechanism or agent that appears harmless but can cause significant harm when it enters a host or population. This concept is borrowed from the ancient Greek story of the Trojan Horse, in which a seemingly benign wooden horse was used to infiltrate and conquer the city of Troy. Similarly, in epidemiology, a trojan horse can refer to a pathogen, vector, or even a public health strategy that initially seems innocuous but ultimately leads to adverse health outcomes.
