Netizens are in a panic over news that a “killer tick” which carries the SFTS virus, a phlebovirus that causes severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome (hence SFTS), has already infected 53 people, killing 21.
The virus has been found in East Asia before, particularly in rural areas in China. This is not the first time the virus has caused deaths in Japan, however the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are urging people to remain covered up when in areas where there is a lot of vegetation.
From Asahi TV News:
21 Dead…Caution Over “Killer Ticks” That Are Spreading Through Japan
At present 21 people have died due to ticks that carry a fatal virus being discovered all over Japan. Caution is urged from now through spring.
The SFTS virus spreads through ticks, and in Western Japan 53 people have already been infected with the virus. Sufferers have complained of fever and hemorrhaging, and 21 people have died.
Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare Tamura Norihisa said: “When in places where there is a lot of vegetation, people should try not to expose their skin where possible”.
Those who have been discovered to have the virus have all been from Western Japan; however, according to a survey by the National Institute Of Infectious Diseases, the ticks that carry this virus have been found in 23 prefectures from Hokkaido to Kyushu. There is no effective vaccine for the virus, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is calling for caution.
Comments from Twitter:
とうふz:
Ticks Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)!!
ししし:
Scary
nana:
Umm, pretty frightening…
π[3/9ハイマニ@mogra]:
imoan NAOMI:
So scared of this, there’s just no way!Σ(×_×;)!
おっとー:
There are “ticks” that kill people.
Even if we take care, what are we supposed to do?
From Yahoo.
Nob(*^^*):
And there’s not even an effective vaccine! (;´д｀)
影虎(not creator):
This isn’t a horror B-movie, this is real life.
森本隆寛(iNtElogiQ Gt.):
For real!? I don’t really know how we can take care when it comes to this…but, everyone, take care!!! 21 people have died…
盛本裕之:
Killer ticks!? Where have these come from all of a sudden?
Smith@鏡像:
Frightening…way too many people have died.
はらすぃー:
Japan is finished.
たおかの賢さん:
Dude, I don’t want to get killed by a tick. Let’s make sure we don’t expose ourselves www
つーく:
Terrifying ((((；゜Д゜))) Weren’t there also some cases in the past that were treated as death from unknown causes?
猫田に小判:
They shouldn’t just report it like that, I think they should give more detailed information. If this is all they’re telling us then it’s just going to make people frightened for no reason.
きれいな牧場主:
NOOOOOOOOO
えーりん:
So I guess if someone with a weak immune system gets infected they can’t be helped…
ハイソサエティ ベンゾー:
So they’re already all over Japan…and no vaccine?
tokizou:
Too scary…Guess there’s nothing to look forward to for spring, huh…
