Japan confirms the first case of thrombocytopenic fever transmitted from person to person

After the patient with febrile thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) died, the doctor in charge of the patient's care also had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with SFTS.

The National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) announced the confirmation of the first case in Japan of person-to-person transmission of high fever thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).

Thrombocytopenic fever is an infectious disease caused by the bite of ticks carrying the SFTS virus. (Source: LabMedica).

This case of febrile thrombocytopenic syndrome was transmitted from patient to treating physician.

According to NIID, the doctor, a man in his 20s, was in charge of caring for a patient in his 90s who was diagnosed with SFTS after going to the emergency room in April 2023 due to declining health.

After the patient died, this doctor performed various procedures such as removing the catheter after the autopsy.

During the operation, the doctor wore a mask and gloves but did not wear protective glasses.

About 9 days after the patient's death, the doctor developed symptoms of fever and headache and diagnosed SFTS.

Genetic analysis of the virus strains from both the doctor and the patient showed identical sequences, confirming human-to-human transmission.

Although previous cases of human-to-human transmission of SFTS have been documented in China and South Korea, this is the first case in Japan.

After confirming the first case of person-to-person transmission in Japan, NIID recommended that medical staff adhere to thorough infection control measures, including the use of face shields to protect Protect from the risk of contact with patient secretions.

Thrombocytopenic fever is an infectious disease caused by the bite of ticks carrying the SFTS virus . The risk of being bitten by bugs is high among mountain farmers.

After 6~14 days of being bitten by a tick carrying the virus, the patient will have symptoms such as vomiting, high fever. In severe form, the disease can be life-threatening.