Airborne Transmission of a Novel Tembusu Virus in Ducks

The routes of transmission of a newly emerged Tembusu virus (TMUV, Flavivirus) in ducks in China remain unclear. Our epidemiological data show that TMUV is spread in winter, when mosquitos are inactive, which suggests that nonvector transmission routes are involved in the spread of TMUV. Furthermore, in vivo studies indicate that TMUV can be transmitted efficiently among ducks by both direct contact and aerosol transmission. This finding has important implications for the control of infection with this novel TMUV in the field.