Confirmed Case of 'SFTS' in Taean... First Case This Year in Chungnam

[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A patient infected with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) has been reported in Taean, Chungnam.

Chungnam Province announced on the 20th that Ms. A (66, female), residing in Taean-gun, was the first person this year in Chungnam to be diagnosed with SFTS infection.

According to the province, Ms. A began experiencing symptoms such as fever and muscle pain from the 15th and visited the screening clinic in Taean-gun on the 18th to undergo a COVID-19 test, which came back negative.

However, as her symptoms did not improve, Ms. A, who was hospitalized for treatment at a medical center, was confirmed positive for SFTS through a genetic test conducted by the Provincial Health and Environment Research Institute on the 19th. She is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

After Ms. A was confirmed positive, the province conducted an epidemiological investigation into the route of SFTS infection and, together with the local health medical center, took measures such as managing contacts, distributing repellents, and disinfecting the area around her residence.

Additionally, the province plans to strengthen environmental improvement activities such as establishing a daily SFTS surveillance system, promoting education and publicity projects, and grass cutting work.

SFTS is a viral infectious disease transmitted by the small soft tick, first identified in China in 2012, and is designated and managed as a Class 3 notifiable infectious disease in South Korea. SFTS patients mainly occur from April to November when ticks are active, especially among middle-aged and elderly people who engage in outdoor activities or have weakened immunity.

The nationwide trend of SFTS cases over the past five years is as follows: 79 cases (21 deaths) in 2015, 165 cases (19 deaths) in 2016, 272 cases (54 deaths) in 2017, 259 cases (47 deaths) in 2018, and 223 cases (41 deaths) in 2019.

During the same period, the number of cases in Chungnam Province was 5 cases (0 deaths) in 2015, 9 cases (1 death) in 2016, 30 cases (9 deaths) in 2017, 22 cases (6 deaths) in 2018, and 24 cases (6 deaths) in 2019.

Since there is no preventive vaccine for SFTS, the best prevention is to avoid tick bites. When working in agriculture, it is important to properly wear work clothes, gloves, and boots, and during outdoor activities such as hiking or grass cutting, wearing long clothes is recommended.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.