Study on aerosol transmission routes of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)

The present paper reviews our studies on transmission routes and prophylactic measures of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), including aerosol inhalation, skin injury/mucosa, insect vectors, peroral infection and vertical transmission. The results show that HFRS is transmitted by Hantaan virus via multi-routes. One of them, the aerosol transmission, is perhaps the main route transmitting HFRS from mouse to human beings. The injury and mucosa is the main transmission route from mouse to mouse and also an important agent from mouse to human beings. The peroral infection may occur in very serious pollution of foods. The insect vectors may play an important role in the focus of HFRS and in the transmission of HFRS from mouse to human. The epidemiological significance of vertical transmission is yet uncertain. According to the results, four proposals should be emphasized including killing insects and mice, long lasting and combined prophylactics, intensive studies on prophylactic measures on viral aerosols and the blocking of transmission of HFRS from mouse to human via aerosols.