SFTS case in Jeju suggest stray cats can spread deadly disease

A lady contracted Extreme Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, a tick-borne illness, after coming into contact with a stray cat in Seogipo-si, Jeju, well being authorities mentioned on Monday.

SFTS is an infectious illness that emerged from China with a mortality fee of as much as 17 p.c in Korea. The situation has no treatment or vaccine as of now. The primary native case was reported in 2013, and a complete of 608 folks have been contaminated with the illness within the final three years.

Frequent signs embody fever, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, lack of urge for food, gastrointestinal signs, muscular signs and neurological abnormalities.

She is the primary affected person in Seogipo-si to be contaminated with SFTS, and the fifth in Jeju.

An epidemiological investigation is at the moment underway, and the affected person alleges she hasn’t had any out of doors actions aside from petting the stray cat 4 days previous to testing optimistic. 4 different SFTS sufferers in Jeju are reported to have been contaminated with the illness whereas doing out of doors actions or in gardens.

Most infections happen between April and November, however current research recommend that the variety of ticks has grown. Research additionally recommend that they mature quicker and reside longer as a consequence of adjustments within the local weather.

Well being officers advise sporting lengthy sleeves, utilizing tick repellants and showering proper after out of doors actions.

SFTS may also be transmitted by bodily fluids of contaminated folks or animals. Anybody that has a fever or gastrointestinal signs inside two weeks of outside actions ought to get examined, in line with well being officers.

By Park Soong-joo (soongjoopark@heraldcorp.com)