Tick borne SFTS virus re-emerges in China : All about the disease that has killed 7, infected 60 people so far

60 people have been infected by a new disease, caused by a tick-bone virus (SFTSV) , and 7 people have been killed so far, Chinese media reported on Wednesday.

It also warned about its possibility of human to human transmission.

More than 37 people in East China's Jiangsu Province contracted with the Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) in the first half of the year.

Later, 23 people were found to be infected in East China's Anhui province. At least seven people have died in Anhui and East China's Zhejiang province due to the virus.

What is SFTS Virus ?

SFTS Virus is not a new virus . It is a tick - borne virus in the Bunyaviridae family and was confirmed in china in 2009 and then retrospectively reported in South Korea in 2012 and in Western Japan in 2013.

Human SFTSV infections have a high case fatality rate. Since its discovery , the number of SFTSV cases has increased significantly, with a current case fatality rate of approximately 10-16% .

How do SFTS Infection Occur ?

Most SFTSV infections occur through bites from Haemaphysalis lonicornis ticks (Asian tick) , although transmission can also occur through close contact with an infected patient.

Symptoms of SFTS Virus :

The clinical symptoms of SFTS include fever, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukocytopenia(low WBC count), gastrointestinal symptoms, and various other symptoms , including muscular symptoms , neurological abnormalities, and coagulopathy . Paients with severe cases of SFTS Virus can suffer from multi-organ failure.

SFTS Prevention and Vaccine :

There is still no specific vaccine for SFTSV infection currently. However to avoid contracting the infection , people are advised not to go into jungles and bushes, as ticks are commonly found in those areas.

These infection should be strictly followed during the summer season, as ticks breed actively during that time.

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