Catbird
Senior Moderator
Previously only seen in China. All 3 deaths in Japan occurred last fall but weren't confirmed until this month. Found in ticks, but can also spread H2H via body fluids. (See CDC EID Vol. 18, #6?June 2012: Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus, Shandong Province, China).
Two more deaths caused by unknown mite-related virus
February 14, 2013
"Japan?s Health Ministry said on Wednesday that it had confirmed two more deaths were caused by an unknown viral infection transmitted by mites. With the number of deaths now at three, the two men, one from Ehime Prefecture, the other from Miyazaki Prefecture, join the first victim, a woman from Yamaguchi Prefecture. All died last fall from the infection, known as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
The virus was first discovered in China in 2009, but until now has never turned up in Japan, and the three who died had no records of recent travel overseas...
Further adding to the complications, however, is that genetic tests on the virus have shown that the three victims died of a strain that originated in Japan, not China. The Health Ministry says there is a 12% fatality rate, but there is no vaccine at this point to prevent infection... While the virus is most often transmitted by mites, it can also be spread through contact with an infected person?s blood or other bodily fluids."
Two more deaths caused by unknown mite-related virus
February 14, 2013
"Japan?s Health Ministry said on Wednesday that it had confirmed two more deaths were caused by an unknown viral infection transmitted by mites. With the number of deaths now at three, the two men, one from Ehime Prefecture, the other from Miyazaki Prefecture, join the first victim, a woman from Yamaguchi Prefecture. All died last fall from the infection, known as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
The virus was first discovered in China in 2009, but until now has never turned up in Japan, and the three who died had no records of recent travel overseas...
Further adding to the complications, however, is that genetic tests on the virus have shown that the three victims died of a strain that originated in Japan, not China. The Health Ministry says there is a 12% fatality rate, but there is no vaccine at this point to prevent infection... While the virus is most often transmitted by mites, it can also be spread through contact with an infected person?s blood or other bodily fluids."