"High Fever, Vomiting, and Diarrhea if Bitten" ... Beware of SFTS Vector 'Chamjindeugi'

by Jo Inkyung

Published 12 Apr.2022 13:59(KST)

KDCA Reports Increased Cases Due to High Temperatures This Summer... Surveillance to Begin Nationwide Next Week

"High Fever, Vomiting, and Diarrhea if Bitten" ... Beware of SFTS Vector 'Chamjindeugi'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on the 12th that it will monitor the occurrence of the main vector, the Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, starting from the third week of this month as the season with an increased risk of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) infection approaches.

Through 16 climate change response vector surveillance base centers nationwide, areas with a high probability of human contact with Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks such as graves, brushwood forests, mountain trails, and grasslands will be surveyed, and tick occurrence information will be provided once a month.

According to the '2021 Haemaphysalis longicornis Tick Occurrence Information,' the ticks begin activity in spring as the weather warms, and their population density gradually increases, with a significant rise in numbers in September when larvae are abundant.

The ticks that transmit SFTS include Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis japonica, and Haemaphysalis concinna, with Haemaphysalis longicornis confirmed as the dominant species in Korea.

Human infection can occur from April to November after being bitten by ticks carrying the SFTS virus, with symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast that temperatures this summer will be higher than average, the occurrence of Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks will increase, and with more outdoor activities in the second half of the year, the possibility of SFTS infection may also rise." She urged, "Please follow preventive measures well, such as wearing long-sleeved clothes and long pants during farming and outdoor activities."

The commissioner also said, "Since ticks continue to feed on blood for 3 to 7 days once attached to the body, it is essential to wash thoroughly after outdoor activities," adding, "Because it is difficult to remove attached blood-sucking ticks directly and there is a risk of secondary infection, it is best to have them safely removed at a medical institution."