Urging the Public to Follow Preventive Measures
Such as Wearing Long-Sleeved Clothing
Jeonnam Province has urged the public to take extra precautions to prevent tick-borne infectious diseases, such as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), as tick activity increases during this season. The province emphasized the importance of minimizing exposure during outdoor activities.
SFTS is a third-grade infectious disease that is mainly transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from April to November. If the disease progresses to a severe stage, it can lead to death due to a decrease in platelets and white blood cells, making early diagnosis and treatment extremely important.
The incidence of SFTS increases as opportunities for tick exposure rise with more outdoor activities such as farming, weeding, and wild vegetable gathering. Most infections occur when people are exposed to ticks while engaging in activities like working in rice paddies and fields, camping, or hiking.
Symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain typically appear within two weeks after a tick bite. In severe cases, the disease can progress to central nervous system abnormalities and multiple organ failure, so elderly individuals and those with weakened immune systems should be especially cautious.
Since there is no preventive vaccine or treatment available, and both humans and animals can be infected, special attention is needed when walking pets in environments where ticks are present, such as grassy areas.
Namseok Na, head of the Infectious Disease Control Division of Jeonnam Province, stated, "Residents who frequently engage in outdoor activities, such as those living in rural areas or hikers, should wear long sleeves, long pants, and hats. If you experience symptoms such as high fever, chills, or digestive issues like vomiting, please visit a medical institution immediately for treatment."
Meanwhile, the number of SFTS cases (deaths) in Jeonnam Province was 8 (1) in 2020, 9 (2) in 2021, 14 (5) in 2022, 16 (7) in 2023, and 8 (3) in 2024.
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