Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in Ticks and SFTS Incidence in Humans, South Korea

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Sep;26(9):2292-2294. doi: 10.3201/eid2609.200065.

Abstract

During 2016-2018, we collected 3,193 ticks from rural areas in South Korea to investigate the prevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). We detected SFTSV in ticks at an infection rate (IR) of 11.1%. We noted increases in the human IR associated with the monthly SFTSV IR in ticks.

Keywords: SFTS; SFTSV; Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus; South Korea; severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome; tickborne diseases; vector-borne infections; viruses; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bunyaviridae Infections* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Phlebovirus* / genetics
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome*
  • Ticks*