SFTS is an emerging hemorrhagic fever in East Asia caused by the SFTS virus, a recently recognized tick-borne bunyavirus, and is classified as a life-threatening emerging infectious zoonosis [1][2][3][4]. The disease is marked by severe fever accompanied by thrombocytopenia [1][3].
Disease overview
Evidence-backed information EN 3/7 applicable sections · ZH 3/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome is an emerging hemorrhagic fever in East Asia caused by a novel bunyavirus, SFTSV, and is recognized as a life-threatening infectious zoonosis principally reported in China, Japan, and South Korea [1][2][3]. The illness is tick-borne, with the vector tick recently spreading to more than 20 U.S. states, raising global public-health concern [2][4]. Reported case fatality ranges from about 16% in a pooled Chinese case series to over 30% in broader regional assessments [1][3].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile 4
The predominant clinical manifestations in laboratory-confirmed patients include fever, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and central nervous system involvement [1]. Features associated with severe disease and higher fatality comprise bleeding tendency, central nervous system manifestations, elevated serum enzymes, and high viral load [1].
SFTS is an emerging infectious zoonosis detected mainly in Japan, South Korea, and China, with endemic infection in East Asia and the vector tick now reported in over 20 U.S. states, marking a growing global threat [3][4]. A meta-analysis of 844 laboratory-confirmed Chinese cases yielded a pooled case fatality rate of 16% (95% CI: 0.13–0.19), while other reviews report fatality ranging from 15.1% to above 30% across studies [1][3]. The virus is borne by ticks such as Haemaphysalis longicornis and has capacity to form clusters via rapid mutation [3].
- 1 Liu MM et al. Meta-analysis of the clinical and laboratory parameters of SFTS patients in China. Virol J. 2016 Nov 29. PMID: 27899121. doi: 10.1186/s12985-016-0661-9. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27899121/
- 2 Woo D et al. Transmission of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) to humans: A systematic review of individual participant data and meta-analysis. J Infect Public Health. 2025 Jun. PMID: 40073663. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102685. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40073663/
- 3 Dualis H et al. Factors and outcomes in Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS): A systematic review. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Jul. PMID: 34188913. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102501. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34188913/
- 4 Kim D et al. Current Progress of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) Vaccine Development. Viruses. 2024 Jan 16. PMID: 38257828. doi: 10.3390/v16010128. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38257828/
- 5 Dang H et al. Recent Advances in Therapeutics for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus. Viruses. 2025 Aug 28. PMID: 41012602. doi: 10.3390/v17091174. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41012602/
- A98.8
- 1D6Y
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Recent related research
Spatial and seasonal patterns of tick distribution and climate-driven shifts in Jiangsu Province, an SFTS-affected region of eastern China
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
The role of animals in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS): a scoping review
Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Cluster investigation report: a probable urine-associated transmission event of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome—a case report
Frontiers in Public Health
Genetic characterization of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in ticks from livestock environments in South Korea
Frontiers in Microbiology
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) likely associated with a bite from a Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica): a case report from China
Virology Journal
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