"Block Ticks" ... Goseong County Launches All-Out Effort to Prevent Tick-Borne Infectious Diseases

Nationwide Inspection of Automatic Insect Repellent Sprayers
Promotion Efforts Including Installation of Prevention Guideline Banners

Goseong County in Gyeongnam has launched multifaceted promotional efforts to prevent tick-borne infectious diseases after the first death from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) this year was reported on the 10th in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province.

Goseong County Makes Every Effort to Prevent Tick-Borne Infectious Diseases.

According to the Goseong County Public Health Center on the 16th, with the arrival of spring and the increase in outdoor activities, which raises the risk of tick exposure, a comprehensive inspection is underway. This includes checking the operation status, replenishing chemicals, and replacing nozzles of 21 automatic insect repellent dispensers installed at parks and trail entrances to ensure there is no inconvenience in using repellents.

In addition, banners providing information on the use of repellents and preventive guidelines have been installed around the automatic dispensers to ensure that people spray repellents and follow safety guidelines before outdoor activities. Intensive public awareness campaigns are also being carried out through various media such as electronic displays, the official website, and the Goseong County Band platform.

Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is caused when a person is bitten by a tick carrying the SFTS virus. Since there is currently no effective preventive vaccine or treatment, avoiding tick bites is the most important measure.

To prevent tick-borne diseases during outdoor activities such as hiking or farming, it is important to: ▲ wear proper long-sleeved clothing in bright colors ▲ spray repellent every four hours ▲ avoid sitting or lying on grass ▲ wash clothes and take a shower immediately after returning home.

If you experience symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or muscle pain within two weeks after outdoor activities, you should promptly visit a medical institution, inform them of your farming or outdoor activity history, and receive treatment.

Shim Yunkyung, Director of the Public Health Center, urged, "As the first domestic death from Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) has occurred, I ask all residents to remain vigilant and strictly follow tick-borne disease prevention guidelines during outdoor activities."

Meanwhile, since the first SFTS case was reported in Korea in 2013, a total of 1,895 cases have been recorded through last year, with 355 deaths, resulting in a fatality rate of 18.7%. As of May 10 this year, four SFTS cases have been reported, with three patients fully recovered and one death.

Goseong County has had no SFTS cases so far this year, but there were two deaths in 2015 and one death in 2017.

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