Increase in SFTS Cases from April to October
Long Clothing, Boots, and Repellents Essential
Damyang County in South Jeolla Province has recently urged residents to exercise particular caution during outdoor activities such as farming and hiking, as the incidence of tick-borne infectious diseases has been increasing.
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is transmitted through bites from infected ticks and occurs most frequently between April and October. It is accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, and the fatality rate is approximately 18%.
The county emphasized that the most effective preventive measures during periods of high tick activity are to minimize skin exposure, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and boots, and use repellents.
County Governor Jeong Cheolwon stated, "SFTS is a fatal infectious disease for which there is no treatment or preventive vaccine," and advised, "If you develop a high fever or gastrointestinal symptoms within two weeks after outdoor activities, you should immediately visit a medical institution for examination."
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