Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in South Korea

According to media, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported this year’s first death from severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)

The case was an elderly woman who became unwell after working in the fields near her house in Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do in the south of the country. She was admitted to hospital on 27 March 2023 and was later discharged. However, her condition worsened and on 5 April 2023 she was readmitted to hospital where she died the following day.

SFTS is a potentially fatal tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever found in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. Case numbers usually rise in spring months as ticks become more active.

Advice for Travellers

SFTS is spread by ticks infected from an animal reservoir such as cattle, sheep and goats. Close contact animals is associated with risk of infection. SFTS can also be transmitted by having contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person.

STFS is rare in travellers. Those with an increased risk are those visiting an endemic region who may:

• have an increased likelihood of tick bites during activities such as hiking, camping in rural areas or visiting farms
• be travelling to work in medical or animal settings
• be staying in accommodation where animals are present

Travellers with an increased risk of infection should be aware of the disease and prevent transmission by:

• practicing tick bite avoidance measures during outdoor activities
• avoiding close contact with animals, including pets
• following appropriate infection control procedures if working in a health care or animal care setting

There is no vaccine available for use in the UK.

For further information see the Viral Haemorrhagic Fever page.