Taiwan reports third case of SFTS tick-borne diseaseCOMMUNICABLE DISEASE: While the risk of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome infection is relatively low, it can have fatal consequences if left untreatedBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterA elderly man diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was the third locally acquired case since the tick-borne infectious disease was first reported in Taiwan in 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. In South Korea, SFTS incidence has increased slightly in the past few years, with 280 cases reported last year, he said. Japan has also seen a growing trend of SFTS cases, with 191 reported last year, most of which were concentrated in the west, he said. Ticks are the main vector of the SFTS virus and are most active between April and October, he said. The general population’s risk of SFTS infection is relatively low, but infected ticks can be brought into Taiwan by migratory birds or imported animals, Guo said.

Source: Taipei Times March 17, 2026 17:11 UTC