21 dead in Japan from virus spread by mites

Authorities in Japan are warning people about deadly poisonous mites. The cause for concern is the SFTS virus.

SFTS is an abbreviation for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, and it's every bit as gruesome as its name implies. Aside from the obvious fever, symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, and in more advanced cases lowered white blood cell and platelet counts, organ failure, and even death.

The majority of SFTS cases so far have been in China, which is also where researchers first isolated the virus in 2009. A recent outbreak has occurred in west Japan, however, with 53 people reported as having been infected so far, with 21 losing their lives to the syndrome's effects.

The vector through which the contamination is spreading has been reported to be tick bites.


I've always think how a microscopic particle can create such a big deal concerning health. Japanese authorities should act immediately if they want to avoid more live losts.