First Case of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Reported in Jeonnam This Year

Minimize Skin Exposure During Field Work

An 80-year-old patient with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome was reported for the first time this year in Jeonnam Province. Photo by Jeonnam Province

The Jeonnam Institute of Health and Environment advised the public to take precautions such as minimizing skin exposure during outdoor activities after an 80-year-old woman who was collecting bracken on May 8 showed symptoms of fever and eschar, and subsequently tested positive for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) through genetic testing.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome occurs when a person is bitten by a tick infected with the SFTS virus. After infection, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea typically appear within one to two weeks, along with a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher.

Because there is no preventive vaccine or treatment and the fatality rate is high, farmers engaged in spring fieldwork or harvesting forest products (such as bracken), as well as people participating in outdoor activities, need to exercise particular caution.

When engaging in outdoor activities, people should strictly follow preventive measures such as using tick repellents, using mats, avoiding urination or defecation in grassy areas, checking for insect bites, and wearing long sleeves, long pants, and gloves.

The first SFTS-related death this year occurred in Gimcheon, Gyeongbuk Province. The patient was a woman in her seventies who was collecting mugwort. So far, a total of six cases have been reported nationwide, with one case each in Gyeonggi, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju, and two cases in Gyeongbuk.

Kim Jinyoung, head of the Infectious Disease Investigation Division 2 at the Jeonnam Institute of Health and Environment, emphasized, "Statistically, the number of cases surges between May and October, so if you experience symptoms such as high fever, dizziness, muscle pain, or loss of appetite after outdoor activities, you should visit a medical institution, inform them about your recent outdoor activities, and receive an early diagnosis."