Masan Health Center, "Beware of Ticks" ... Be Sure to Follow Prevention Rules

Outdoor activities such as hiking and gardening

High risk of infection even in daily life activities

Masan Public Health Center in Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam, has urged citizens to follow preventive measures as a large number of patients with tick-borne infectious diseases (such as Tsutsugamushi disease and Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) are expected to occur.

Changwon Special City Hall, Gyeongnam.

Recently, a case occurred in Seogwipo City, Jeju, where a patient presumed to have been infected with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) after touching a stray cat died, prompting the local health center to conduct an epidemiological investigation. Since infection can occur not only through outdoor activities like hiking and gardening but also in daily life, adherence to preventive measures is crucial.

When infected with SFTS, symptoms such as high fever above 38℃, gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite), and hemorrhagic tendencies due to decreased platelets and white blood cells appear. In severe cases, multiple organ failure and death may occur.

To prevent SFTS, it is important to avoid tick bites. When entering places where ticks are abundant, such as grasslands or bushes, wear long sleeves, long pants, high socks, and shoes that fully cover the feet. After outdoor activities, take a shower and check for ticks attached to the body. Also, be cautious of direct or indirect exposure to the blood and bodily fluids of infected patients and animals.

Lee Ji-ryeon, director of Masan Public Health Center, said, “Especially since there is no preventive vaccine or treatment for SFTS, following preventive measures is the most important. Infection can easily occur in daily life, such as through contact with pets or walking in parks,” and added, “If suspicious symptoms appear, promptly visit a medical institution for diagnostic testing and receive treatment.”

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