Cases of thrombocythemia syndrome detected in China

In Chineat Xinyangin the province of Henan4 elderly people recently died of fsevere fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome [SFTS]a disease transmitted by ticks, and a 5th person from the same village receives treatment.

The first case involved a man, over 70 years old, who had a high fever and was diagnosed with thrombocytopenia syndrome. He died after returning to the village. According to local customs, 3 people proceeded to the mortuary toilet and died of the same infection after having been in contact with the blood of the deceased remaining on the medical equipment.

Le severe fever syndrome with thrombocythemia is a viral disease caused by a Phlebovirus of the family of Bunyaviridaetransmitted by ticks whose species Haemaphysalis longicornis is considered the main vector. The virus has also been isolated from Amblyomma et Ixodes which could serve as potential vectors of this virus in South Korea.

SFTS is usually transmitted by ticks, and can also be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with patients’ blood or bloody secretions.

After an incubation of 6-14 days, the main clinical symptoms are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, thrombocytopenia (fall in blood platelet count), leucopenia (fall in white blood cells) and hepatic cytolysis. Multiple organ failure occurs in severe cases, and 6-30% of patients die.