ɪɾ ɪz bᵻlˈiːvd ðætðə nˈætʃɚɹəl ɹˈaʊt ʌv ɪnfˈɛkʃən əkˈɜːz θɹuː ɐbɹˈeɪʒənz ɔnðə skˈɪn, wˌɪtʃ mˈiːnz ðætðə tɹænsmˈɪʃən ʌvðə vˈaɪɹəs əkˈɜːz fɹʌm ˈænɪməl tʊ ˈænɪməl ɔːɹ θɹuː fˈɑːmaɪts, sˈʌtʃ ɐz ɪnfˈɛktᵻd bˈɛdɪŋ ɪnðə plˈeɪs fɔːɹ kˈiːpɪŋ mˈaɪs.
It is believed that the natural route of infection occurs through abrasions on the skin, which means that the transmission of the virus occurs from animal to animal or through fomites, such as infected bedding in the place for keeping mice.