First Case of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Reported This Year: "Beware of Ticks"

KDCA Reports SFTS Infection in Ulsan Man in His 70s After Farm Work
Use Tick Repellent and Minimize Skin Exposure During Outdoor Activities

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on April 23 that the first case of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) this year has been reported.

The first SFTS patient is a man in his 70s residing in Ulsan Metropolitan City. After working on a vegetable garden in Ulju County, he developed symptoms including muscle pain, fever, chills, and loss of appetite, which led him to visit a medical institution. He subsequently tested positive for SFTS and is currently hospitalized with a mild fever.

SFTS is primarily transmitted between April and November through bites from ticks carrying the SFTS virus. Following a bite, symptoms such as high fever (38-40℃), nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may appear within two weeks. In severe cases, the disease can lead to thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and multiple organ failure, which may be fatal.

Since SFTS was designated as a notifiable infectious disease in 2013, a total of 2,345 cases were reported through 2025, of which 422 patients died, resulting in a cumulative fatality rate of 18.0%.

Last year, the number of SFTS cases by region was as follows: North Gyeongsang Province with 45 cases (16.1%), Gyeonggi Province with 42 cases (15.0%), and Gangwon Province with 31 cases (11.1%). By gender, men accounted for 51.1% (143 cases) and women 48.9% (137 cases), showing little difference. By age, those aged 60 and over made up 81.8% (229 cases) of all patients. The most common symptoms were fever (87.5%), chills (31.9%), muscle pain (30.1%), and diarrhea (29.4%). The most frequent risk factors for infection included working in vegetable gardens or agriculture (including fruit farming), and activities such as visiting ancestral graves and mowing.

SFTS has a high fatality rate, and there are currently no treatments or preventive vaccines available. Medical institutions are advised to check for recent agricultural, livestock, or outdoor activities within the past two weeks for patients presenting with high fever or gastrointestinal symptoms between April and November, when SFTS incidence is high, in order to ensure early detection and timely treatment.

Lim Seungkwan, Commissioner of the KDCA, emphasized, "When engaging in farm work or outdoor activities, wear long sleeves, hats, and socks to minimize exposed skin and use repellents to avoid tick bites. If you develop a high fever or gastrointestinal symptoms within two weeks, please visit a medical institution immediately for evaluation."

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