Jeongeup City Public Health Center Urges Caution Against Tick-borne Infectious Diseases

Promotion Period Until the 31st
Preventive Education and Other Activities Underway

The Jeongeup City Public Health Center in Jeonbuk has urged the public to take special precautions against tick-borne infectious diseases. The center has designated the period from the 7th of this month to the 31st of next month as a focused promotion period and will launch various preventive education and publicity activities.

Correct Prevention and Treatment of Tsutsugamushi Disease Poster. Provided by Jeongeup City Public Health Center

According to the Jeongeup City Public Health Center on the 7th, the main tick-borne infectious diseases occurring in Korea include scrub typhus and Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS).

SFTS typically occurs between April and November and presents symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting after being bitten by a tick carrying the virus. Scrub typhus is transmitted by chigger mites carrying the relevant bacteria, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle pain, and is characterized by the formation of a black scab at the bite site.

To prevent these tick-borne infectious diseases, it is important to wear long pants and long-sleeved clothing during farm work or outdoor activities, and to use boots and hats to minimize skin exposure. It is also helpful to distinguish between work clothes and everyday clothes and to use tick repellents.

It is advised to avoid lying directly on grass or leaving clothes on the ground. When resting, use mats or cushions intended for farm work. After outdoor activities or farm work, thoroughly follow personal hygiene practices such as immediately washing worn clothes and taking a shower right away.

An official from the health center stated, "The initial symptoms of tick-borne infectious diseases are similar to those of a cold, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. If you experience symptoms such as headache, chills, vomiting, or muscle pain after outdoor activities, you should visit a medical institution for examination immediately."

The official added, "We will further strengthen preventive education and improve awareness, especially targeting areas with frequent patient occurrences and the elderly population who are relatively more vulnerable to infection."