BACKGROUND: In Asia, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a disease which needs immediate attention. Haemaphysalis longicornis is the major vector for SFTS and a dominant species in Korea. This study provided information on distribution, bite cases, and the path of contact of hard ticks as requested by Public Health Centers and the Institute of Health and Environment.
METHODOLOGY/RESULTS: Among 1,065 tick specimens identified from 2013∼2015, H. longicornis accounted for 80.2%. However, Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava and Ixodes nipponensis were widely distributed in Korea. On the other hand, I. persulcatus was commonly detected in the northern part of the country, whereas I. granulatus and Amblyomma testidunarium were distributed in the southern part of Korea. Common tick bites were observed on the thighs of the human body (i.e., femoral region), and the highest chance of contact with ticks occurred on grasslands in the urban areas and rural mountains. Also, people were easily exposed to ticks during outdoor activities and farm work.
CONCLUSION: Ticks were widely distributed, both in urban and rural areas. Thus, personal protection and hygiene before/after outdoor activities would be critical for prevention of SFTSV infection.
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