Following COVID-19, Tick-borne Disease Spreads in China... 60 Infected, 7 Dead (Update)

Chinese Health Authorities Urge "Go to Hospital Immediately If Bitten by a Tick"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Following the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), tick-borne diseases are spreading in China.

According to the Chinese media Caijingbao (財經報), the number of confirmed cases of the novel Bunia virus infection has reached 60. Among them, 7 people have died.

This virus, known as a tick-borne disease, causes high fever and reduces platelets, leading to symptoms such as epidemic cold, hemorrhagic fever, and encephalitis. It is known to be transmitted by rats, mosquitoes, and ticks.

According to reports, a woman in her 60s named Wang from Nanjing (南京), Jiangsu (江蘇) Province, was recently diagnosed with the novel Bunia virus infection. Wang reportedly showed symptoms such as fever and cough.

In addition, 37 people were infected in Nanjing this year, and since April, 23 patients have been reported in Anhui (安徽) Province, with 5 deaths recorded. Two deaths were also reported in Zhejiang (浙江) Province.

An official from the Infectious Disease Department at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital stated, "It appears that the infection with the novel Bunia virus was caused by a tick bite," adding, "The patient Wang was treated for nearly a month and has now fully recovered and been discharged."

Shan Jifang, head of the Infectious Disease Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, said, "Ticks are the main source of transmission for this virus," and added, "There is also a possibility of human-to-human transmission and infection."

Chinese health authorities have urged people not to lie down for extended periods in grassy areas where ticks live, and if bitten by a tick, to kill the tick with alcohol or a cigarette ember, completely remove it from the skin, and immediately visit a hospital. They especially emphasized strict hygiene management for pets, as ticks are highly likely to inhabit animals.

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