[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jo Hangyu] Jangseong-gun, Jeonnam, recently reported the first fatality from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) and urged people to be especially cautious to avoid tick bites during outdoor activities.
According to Jangseong-gun on the 16th, SFTS is a disease transmitted by ticks carrying the virus. After an incubation period of 6 to 14 days, symptoms such as high fever, gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), conjunctival injection, and muscle pain appear.
In severe cases, leukopenia or thrombocytopenia may occur, which can lead to death. There are no treatments or preventive vaccines available.
To prevent SFTS, it is crucial to follow preventive measures during outdoor activities, including ▲ not leaving clothes on grassy areas ▲ wearing long pants and long sleeves when entering grassy areas (to minimize skin exposure) ▲ using tick repellents ▲ showering immediately after outdoor activities.
To this end, the Jangseong-gun Public Health Center plans to distribute tick and mosquito repellents to each eup and myeon administrative welfare center and strengthen promotional education for infectious disease prevention through village broadcasts and other means.
A health center official stated, “SFTS is more likely to occur in middle-aged and elderly people who engage in many outdoor activities and whose immune systems weaken with age,” adding, “If bitten by a tick or if symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea occur after outdoor activities, one should promptly visit a medical institution for rapid testing and treatment.”
Jangseong = Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jo Hangyu chg6001@asiae.co.kr
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