Archive · 17 Jun 2025
Japanese Vet Dies After Possible Cat-to-Human SFTS Transmission
A veterinarian in Japan died after catching a dangerous virus called SFTS, possibly from a cat.
This is the first time this has happened to a vet, and it's making people worried.
The virus causes fever, makes people tired and sick, and can lead to death.
Doctors don't know exactly how the vet got the virus since there was no tick bite.
The government is giving advice to vets on how to avoid getting the virus and what to do if they suspect an animal is infected.
A Japanese veterinarian died from the SFTS virus, possibly transmitted from a cat.
This is the first confirmed case of a veterinarian dying from suspected animal-to-human transmission.
The vet treated the cat at a clinic in Mie prefecture in May, and no staff or the cat's owner contracted the virus.
Experts are puzzled about how the virus was transmitted, as an autopsy found no tick bites.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases issued an advisory for veterinarians on SFTS prevention.
- Who
- A Japanese veterinarian.
- What
- A Japanese vet died from the SFTS virus.
- When
- The vet died after treating a cat in May.
- Where
- Mie prefecture, Japan.
- Why
- The exact transmission method is unknown, sparking investigation.
- Virus Name
- SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome)
- Fatality Rate
- 12% to over 30%
- First Identified
- 2011
- Reported Cases in Japan (2023)
- 1,071
- Deaths in Japan (2023)
- 117
- Possible Transmission
- Cat (suspected)
- Symptoms
- Fever, loss of energy, vomiting, jaundice, tick bite, low white blood cell count.