First human-to-human transmission of tick-borne disease


Bug alert: A doctor in his 20s contracted the infection from an elderly patient who died. The doctor’s condition has improved. — The Straits Times/ANN

The first human-to-human transmission of a viral infection linked to ticks was recorded in Japan, the country’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases said.

A doctor in his 20s contracted the infection – severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) – from a male patient in his 90s, reported The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The elderly patient was diagnosed with the disease in April 2023. Symptoms of SFTS include fever, low blood platelet count, and influenza-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea, according to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore.

When the patient died, the doctor removed his intravenous drip and soon developed a 38ºC fever and other symptoms. He was diagnosed with the disease nine days later.

Human-to-human transmission was confirmed after the genes of the viruses in the two men were found to be identical. The doctor’s condition has since improved.

The disease is most commonly transmitted from infected animals such as cattle and rodents to humans through a tick bite, according to the NCID website.

There is no evidence that suggests the main vector, the Asian long-horned tick, is established in tropical countries such as Singapore. —- The Straits Times/ANN

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Aseanplus News

Kenneth Ma and Moses Chan secure "No.1 brother" status in TVB anniversary group photo
China mother jailed for abandoning son with brain injuries inflicted during family dispute
Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Thursday (Nov 21)
World Bank outlines path for Vietnam to reach high income status
Hun Sen urges diplomacy on Ko Kut, legal action on extremism
Bangladesh ex-PM Khaleda Zia makes first public appearance in six years
Hanoi prepares for temperature drop as cold front approaches
'This episode is totally heartbreaking' says top promoter Kharisma Music; initiates legal proceedings against singer Aishah Retno for loss of income and slander
Malaysia re-elected to Uncitral for 2025-2031 term
Cambodia jails another govt critic for defamation

Others Also Read