The first case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) occurred in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province this year.

Hongseong = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Jun-beom = The first severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patient in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province this year.

According to South Chungcheong Province and Hongseong-gun on the 18th, Mr. A (69) was diagnosed with SFTS on the 29th of last month and is being treated at the hospital.

Mr. A visited a medical institution after experiencing symptoms such as fever after outdoor activities, and was tested positive for SFTS.

SFTS is a class 3 statutory infectious disease transmitted by tick bites.

You can become infected during outdoor activities such as agricultural work, hiking, walking, or mowing, and symptoms such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and muscle pain appear.

If it progresses to severe levels, it can lead to death, but as there is no preventive vaccine or treatment, the most important thing is to avoid being bitten by a tick.

Hongseong-gun Public Health Center is strengthening quarantine disinfection and prevention promotions, maintaining a cooperative system with medical institutions, and preparing for the occurrence of additional patients.

To prevent tick-borne infectious diseases, you should wear long-sleeved clothes and long pants and use tick repellent when doing agricultural work or outdoor activities.

Do not sit or lie down on the grass, and shower immediately after returning home and wash your clothes.

You should also carefully check to see if there are ticks on your body.

If symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pain, or diarrhea appear within two weeks after outdoor activity, you should immediately visit a medical institution, inform them of your outdoor activity history, and receive treatment.