Well being authorities are urging warning towards tick-borne infectious illnesses comparable to scrub typhus and extreme fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), which happen most steadily in Korea through the months of October and November. The chance is especially excessive through the harvest season and as outside actions like mountain climbing and tenting enhance.
Scrub typhus is brought on by the chew of larval mites carrying the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacterium. In response to the Korea Illness Management and Prevention Company (KDCA), round 6,000 instances are reported every year, with infections peaking in autumn. After an incubation interval of 1 to a few weeks, signs comparable to chills, fever and complications sometimes seem, however are sometimes mistaken for the frequent chilly. Whereas early antibiotic remedy can result in a full restoration, untreated instances could develop extreme problems comparable to pneumonia, meningitis or kidney failure. Early prognosis is crucial.
SFTS is transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis, generally generally known as the Asian longhorn tick, which carries the SFTS virus. Roughly 200 instances are reported yearly, most of them in October. Signs embody excessive fever and vomiting, and the an infection has a fatality fee of 18.5 % — among the many highest for vector-borne illnesses. Since there may be at present no vaccine or particular remedy, the very best safety is prevention.
Specialists emphasize that avoiding tick bites is one of the simplest ways to forestall an infection. When spending time outdoor, folks ought to put on long-sleeved shirts, lengthy pants and socks to reduce pores and skin publicity, and apply insect repellent. It is usually necessary to not sit or lie instantly on grass and not using a mat, to bathe instantly after outside actions and to clean garments completely after being worn outdoors. Ticks shouldn’t be forcibly eliminated by hand; as an alternative, search medical assist for protected extraction.
Yoon Younger-kyung, a professor of infectious illnesses at Korea College Anam Hospital, stated, “As a consequence of local weather change, tick exercise is lasting longer yearly, rising the danger of an infection.” She added, “If signs comparable to vomiting, diarrhea, headache or excessive fever happen inside one to a few weeks after outside exercise, it is very important go to a medical establishment instantly for remedy.”
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Occasions.
