In Chineat Xinyangin the province of Henan4 elderly people recently died of fsevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome [SFTS]a disease transmitted by ticks, and a 5th person from the same village receives treatment.
The first case involved a man, over 70 years old, who had a high fever and was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia syndrome. He died after returning to the village. According to local customs, 3 people proceeded to the mortuary toilet and died of the same infection after having been in contact with the blood of the deceased remaining on the medical equipment.
Le severe fever syndrome with thrombocythemia is a viral disease caused by a Phlebovirus of the family of Bunyaviridaetransmitted by ticks whose species Haemaphysalis longicornis is considered the main vector. The virus has also been isolated from Amblyomma et Ixodes which could serve as potential vectors of this virus in South Korea.
SFTS is usually transmitted by ticks, and can also be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with patients’ blood or bloody secretions.
After an incubation of 6-14 days, the main clinical symptoms are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, thrombocytopenia (fall in blood platelet count), leucopenia (fall in white blood cells) and hepatic cytolysis. Multiple organ failure occurs in severe cases, and 6-30% of patients die.
To avoid tick bites and infection, it is advisable to take the following precautionsavoiding tick-infested areas, especially during the hottest months;
- wear light-colored clothing so that ticks are more easily visible;
- wear a long shirt, hat, long pants, and pull the socks up over the trouser legs;
- walk in the center of the trails to avoid grass and bushes;
- check regularly after a few hours the absence of ticks on the body when you spend a lot of time outdoors in areas infested with ticks;
- ticks are found most often on the thighs, arms, armpits and legs. Ticks can be very small (no bigger than a pinhead);
- use repellent containing DEET on uncovered skin;
- use an insecticide containing permethrin on clothing.
Source : ProMED.
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