Veterinarian dies from tick-borne disease in west Japan

A veterinarian who treated cats infected with a tick-borne disease has died from the same illness in Mie Prefecture. According to the local veterinarians’ association, which publicized the news, the veterinarian may have contracted severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) from one of the cats, succumbing to the disease. In late April, the veterinarian took care of two cats showing symptoms of SFTS for nearly a week. A few days later, the veterinarian began experiencing lethargy and loss of appetite and was later admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties. Tests confirmed an SFTS infection, and the case was reported to health authorities by the law. No tick bite marks were found on the body of the veterinarian, who died on May 12.
SFTS has an incubation period of up to 14 days before causing symptoms like fever and diarrhea. The disease is notable for its high fatality rate, reaching up to 30%. Cases of transmission from infected pets have been reported, and in 2024, a physician contracted the disease from a patient, marking the first confirmed human-to-human transmission in Japan. After the death of the veterinarian, the Japan Veterinary Medical Association has called for caution during the treatment of infected animals.