First Fatality from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Reported in Gochang This Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jae-gil] As the first death from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) occurred this year in Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, health authorities urged adherence to prevention guidelines.

According to the Gochang-gun Health Center on the 22nd, the SFTS fatality was a woman in her 90s residing in Gochang-gun, who was reported as a suspected SFTS patient on the 15th after exhibiting symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and decreased platelet count.

She tested positive on the same day at the Jeonbuk Institute of Health and Environment and received treatment at a university hospital but passed away the next day, the 16th.

It is known that the woman had been working in her garden and vinyl greenhouse before symptoms appeared.

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) mainly occurs from April to November after being bitten by a virus-carrying tick, causing high fever and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). It frequently affects middle-aged and elderly people who engage in outdoor activities and whose immune systems are weakened. Early recognition and treatment are crucial.

Choi Hyun-sook, director of the Gochang-gun Health Center, said, “If bitten by a tick, do not forcibly remove the tick but visit a medical institution for treatment. If high fever ranging from 38 to 40℃ and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea occur within two weeks after outdoor activities, immediately visit a medical institution.”

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