Xing Qiang Hu1, Shi Guang Li2, Hong Liu3, Jun Wang3, Ri Mao Hua4. 1. College of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, Hefei 230036, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei 230036, Anhui, China. 2. College of Plant Protection, Anhui Agriculture University, Hefei 230036, Anhui, China. 3. Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei 230036, Anhui, China. 4. College of Resource & Environment of Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Agri-food Safety of Anhui Province, Hefei 230036, Anhui, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diversity and the distribution of host animal species of hantavirus and the effect on human health in Jiuhua Mountain area, China. METHODS: The host animal species of hantavirus was surveyed by using the trap method and the species diversity was evaluated by using the Simpson, Shannon-Weaner, and Pielou indices. Hantavirus antigens or antibodies in lung and blood samples of all the captured host animals were detected by direct or indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Nine animal species of hantavirus were distributed in the forest ecosystem of Jiuhua Mountain. Of these, Niviventer confucianus and Apodemus agrarius were predominant, and N. confucianus, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus had relatively large niche breadth index values. The host animals in the eastern and western mountain regions shared similar biodiversity index characteristics, predominant species, and species structures. Hantavirus was detected in 5 host animal species in Jiuhua Mountain area, the carriage rate of hantavirus was 6.03%. The average density of host animals in forest areas of the mountainous area was only 2.20%, and the virus infection rate in the healthy population was 2.33%. CONCLUSION: The circulation of hantavirus was low in the forest areas of Jiuhua Mountain and did not pose a threat to human health.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diversity and the distribution of host animal species of hantavirus and the effect on human health in Jiuhua Mountain area, China. METHODS: The host animal species of hantavirus was surveyed by using the trap method and the species diversity was evaluated by using the Simpson, Shannon-Weaner, and Pielou indices. Hantavirus antigens or antibodies in lung and blood samples of all the captured host animals were detected by direct or indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Nine animal species of hantavirus were distributed in the forest ecosystem of Jiuhua Mountain. Of these, Niviventer confucianus and Apodemus agrarius were predominant, and N. confucianus, Rattus norvegicus, and Mus musculus had relatively large niche breadth index values. The host animals in the eastern and western mountain regions shared similar biodiversity index characteristics, predominant species, and species structures. Hantavirus was detected in 5 host animal species in Jiuhua Mountain area, the carriage rate of hantavirus was 6.03%. The average density of host animals in forest areas of the mountainous area was only 2.20%, and the virus infection rate in the healthy population was 2.33%. CONCLUSION: The circulation of hantavirus was low in the forest areas of Jiuhua Mountain and did not pose a threat to human health.