Latest news with #SFTS
The Mainichi
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Mainichi
Veterinarian dies from tick-borne disease after treating infected cats in west Japan
TSU -- A veterinarian in Mie Prefecture who treated cats infected with an ixodid tick-borne disease has died from the same illness, the local veterinarians' association told the Mainichi Shimbun on June 13. The veterinarian is believed to have contracted "severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)" from one of the cats, prompting the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, which was notified by the Mie prefectural veterinarians' association, to call for caution during treatment. According to a report by the prefectural association, the veterinarian hospitalized two cats, a 9-month-old male and female, each showing symptoms of SFTS for one week to 10 days in late April, sending samples to a private testing facility while providing treatment. On May 6, the veterinarian began experiencing lethargy and loss of appetite, and was taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties on the night of May 8. Tests confirmed that the vet had SFTS, and the attending physician reported the case to the public health center in accordance with the infectious diseases control law. The veterinarian died on May 12. No tick bite marks were reportedly found. Meanwhile, the public health center investigated the animal hospital run by the veterinarian and the cats' owners, confirming that neither hospital staff nor owners showed any symptoms. Both cats were confirmed to have SFTS but apparently recovered after hospitalization and have since shown no symptoms. SFTS has an incubation period of about six to 14 days before causing symptoms such as fever and diarrhea. The disease is notable for its high fatality rate, reaching up to 30%. According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1,071 human cases and 117 deaths were reported in Japan between March 2013 and the end of April 2025. In March 2024, a case was reported in which a physician contracted SFTS from a patient, marking the first confirmed human-to-human transmission in Japan. Cases of transmission from pets have also been reported. (Japanese original by Emi Shimomura, Tsu Bureau)
Asahi Shimbun
3 days ago
- Health
- Asahi Shimbun
Veterinarian dies after treating cat infected with tick-borne virus
Cats can become infected with the potentially fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) through ticks found in forests and grassy areas. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) A veterinarian has died after showing symptoms consistent with a potentially deadly infectious disease transmitted by ticks and infected animals, authorities have confirmed, prompting a warning to animal doctors across the nation. According to sources, the deceased veterinarian from Mie Prefecture treated a cat that was infected with the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus. In May, the veterinarian developed symptoms including respiratory distress. The individual was hospitalized and died a few days later. There were no signs of a tick bite on the body. Health officials have not reported any related symptoms among the cat's owner or other veterinary staff. If confirmed, this would be the first known case in Japan of a veterinarian dying from SFTS contracted through treating an infected animal. The Japan Veterinary Medical Association has issued a nationwide warning to veterinary professionals following the incident. The SFTS virus is primarily spread through the bites of infected ticks found in forests and grassy areas. However, it can also be transmitted through the blood, saliva, vomit and excreta of infected animals, particularly cats and dogs. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting and a black stool, with an incubation period of six to 14 days. In humans, the disease has a mortality rate of up to 30 percent, while in cats it can be as high as 60 percent. INDOOR PETS ALSO AT RISK In areas where SFTS cases have been confirmed, even indoor cats and dogs can become infected with the disease when they occasionally go outdoors and may transmit it to their owners, according to Tamaki Okabayashi, a professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Miyazaki. Okabayashi warns that even common symptoms such as a fever, low energy and jaundice could be signs of SFTS. 'Veterinarians in high-risk areas must consider the possibility of SFTS from the first consultation and use gloves, masks and gowns,' he said. Okabayashi also advises animal lovers in affected areas to avoid direct contact with outdoor cats that appear unhealthy. 'If you do, it's best to wear gloves and an apron, and be sure to sanitize your hands afterward,' he added. Since SFTS was first reported in humans in Japan in 2013, 1,071 cases and 117 deaths have been recorded as of April 2025, according to the Japan Institute for Health Security. In recent years, the country has seen at least 100 new cases annually, with 134 reported in 2023–the highest on record. Between 2018 and April 2025, 11 veterinary professionals in Japan were infected with SFTS through animal-related exposure. To mitigate further risks, the government has published detailed safety manuals for veterinary workers and guidance for communicating risks to pet owners. The manual is available here: (This article was written by Ryosuke Nonaka, Takahiro Takenouchi and Nami Sugiura.)
