Farmers in Hanan Province, China, developed a syndrome named for its presenting complaints.
Cause: a novel bunyavirus called SFTSV (severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus), member of the Phlebovirus genus
Spread: possibly tick-borne via Haemaphysalis longicornis
Incubation period: 7-10 days
Clinical findings:
(1) F = fever
(2) fatigue
(3) anorexia
(4) body sores
(5) nausea and/or vomitiing
(6) myalgias
(7) chills
(8) diarrhea
(9) headache
(10) variable lymphadenopathy
Laboratory findings:
(1) T = thrombocytopenia
(2) L = leucopenia
(3) elevated liver function tests (ALT, AST)
(4) proteinuria (positive urine protein)
The mortality rate was about 12%.
Diagnosis involves:
(1) exclusion of other tick-borne pathogens
(2) demonstration of viral RNA by RT-PCR
