The Department of Disease Control and Prevention of the Thai Ministry of Public Health has urged residents of the kingdom to protect themselves from infected tick bites due to the threat of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS).
elchi reports that this is stated in the ministry’s announcement.
According to the department’s director-general, Montien Khanasawat, 10 cases of SFTS infection have been recorded in the country from 2019 to 2026, 5 of which resulted in death. From the beginning of 2026 to September 16, 3 cases were identified, and 2 patients passed away. Most of the deaths occur among people over 50 who have been in contact with ticks or pets.
“SFTS is a disease that should not be ignored, as it can be severe in some patients and lead to death. It is important to note that the initial symptoms — high fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea — can resemble common infections, which is why patients often do not realize they are in a risk group,” said Khanasawat.
The virus that causes SFTS is mainly transmitted through the bites of infected ticks, and more rarely through contact with the blood or secretions of sick animals. The incubation period is one to two weeks. In severe cases, patients experience bleeding, damage to the central nervous system, and liver and kidney failure. Health authorities urge regular treatment of pets, yards, and farms with anti-tick agents, the use of gloves and closed clothing when in contact with animals, and seeking urgent medical attention if fever symptoms arise after a tick bite.
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