By Kim Bo-eun
The Gangwon Provincial government said Saturday a woman in Inje County died from a tick-borne virus last week.
The woman, 61, who tested positive for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), died while receiving hospital treatment, Wednesday.
This is the first death from SFTS in Gangwon Province this year. The woman was among two people who tested positive for the virus in Gangwon, along with a person in Hwacheon County.
The woman suffered symptoms such as a stomachache after working outdoors on her farm and removing and killing an insect on her dog on June 11.
A dead tick was found on her right arm as well as two sores which were suspected to be tick bites.
The woman tested positive to SFTS on June 12.
It is the third death from SFTS nationwide following two on Jeju Island.
In April, a 64-year-old woman on Jeju Island who engaged in bee keeping tested positive to SFTS and died while receiving hospital treatment.
Another woman, 79, died in Jeju after testing positive to SFTS in March. The woman lost consciousness after collecting wild herbs outdoors.
SFTS infections usually occur during the spring, summer and autumn months when people engage in outdoor activities.
A high fever, vomiting and diarrhea after outdoor activity are suspected symptoms of an SFTS infection.
Disease control authorities advise wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, as well as wearing hats when engaging in activities in forests or on grass, and using mats when sitting on the ground.
In addition, authorities advise taking a shower and brushing off one’s clothing and putting it in the wash after outdoor activity.