23/09/2025
Japan is facing a significant rise in Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), a tick-borne viral disease with a fatality rate of 10–30 percent. This year, 152 cases have been reported—the highest since the virus was first detected in Japan in 2013—with infections spreading to new areas, including the Kanto region and as far north as Hokkaido.
Humans can contract SFTS through tick bites and, in rare cases, from close contact with infected patients. Health workers are urged to take precautions, including protective clothing and careful handling of patients. Pets, especially cats, are also vulnerable, and the virus can pass from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or contact with body fluids. Experts advise keeping pets indoors, checking them after outdoor exposure, and brushing them to remove dirt.
If bitten by a tick, remain calm and seek professional medical care immediately. Vigilance, protective measures, and awareness are essential to prevent SFTS infections.
