As spring and summer arrive in southern China, more people are heading outdoors for hiking, camping and fruit-picking. But health authorities are warning of a small hazard lurking in grass and bushes: ticks that can carry a deadly virus.
The virus causes Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), an acute infectious disease first identified in China in 2009. It is characterized by fever and a sharp drop in platelet count. The illness can develop rapidly, and in severe cases, the fatality rate can reach as high as 20 percent if not treated promptly.
How the virus spreads
The primary carrier is the long horned tick (Haemaphysalis longhorns), which can harbor and transmit the virus for long periods. Ticks typically wait on grass or leaves in wooded or bushy areas, attaching to humans or animals passing by.
Beyond tick bites, the virus can also be transmitted through contact with the blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. This includes domestic livestock such as cattle and goats, pets like cats and dogs, and rodents.
Human-to-human transmission has been reported, usually among caregivers who come into direct contact with a patient's blood or secretions without protection.
Symptoms often mistaken for a cold
Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Some patients may also experience muscle pain and diarrhea .
These signs can easily be mistaken for a common cold. However, the virus can disrupt blood clotting, leading to skin bruising, internal bleeding and organ failure.
Prompt treatment can significantly improve the outcomes.
Prevention advice
For those spending time outdoors in affected regions, authorities recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, tucking trousers into socks, and choosing light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
Insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin can be applied to exposed skin and clothing. Walkers are advised to stay on clear paths and avoid brushing against dense vegetation.
After returning indoors, people should check their clothing, bags and pets for ticks. A full body check should focus on the scalp, ears, neck, armpits, waist and groin.
If a tick is found, experts advise against crushing it with bare hands. The recommended method is to use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out slowly and steadily. The bite area should then be cleaned with iodine.
Caring for patients
Those caring for an SFTS patient should wear disposable gloves and masks and avoid direct contact with blood or bodily fluids. Contaminated clothing and bedding should be disinfected before washing.
The incubation period is typically five to 15 days. Anyone who develops fever or other symptoms after potential tick exposure should seek medical attention promptly and inform their doctor of the exposure history.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
