4 days ago
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.)
