Which exposure route is emphasized for Seoul virus handling?

Which exposure route is emphasized for Seoul virus handling?

• A. Bloodborne
• B. Waterborne
• C. Airborne and droplets
• D. Skin contact

Answer: (C)

Seoul virus is a rodent-borne hantavirus, so the primary exposure concern when handling it is inhalation of aerosols containing the virus from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. In practice, small airborne particles generated during handling can carry the virus and reach the respiratory tract, making airborne and droplet exposure the route emphasized for safety and containment. While skin contact or touching contaminated materials is possible, those routes are less likely to transmit infection than inhalation, which is why respiratory protection and measures to avoid aerosol generation are central. Bloodborne and waterborne routes are not the typical transmission pathways for Seoul virus, so they aren’t the focus of handling precautions.

Seoul virus is a rodent-borne hantavirus, so the primary exposure concern when handling it is inhalation of aerosols containing the virus from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. In practice, small airborne particles generated during handling can carry the virus and reach the respiratory tract, making airborne and droplet exposure the route emphasized for safety and containment. While skin contact or touching contaminated materials is possible, those routes are less likely to transmit infection than inhalation, which is why respiratory protection and measures to avoid aerosol generation are central. Bloodborne and waterborne routes are not the typical transmission pathways for Seoul virus, so they aren’t the focus of handling precautions.