Japan cases of lethal tick-borne virus set to exceed 100 per year for first time: reports

Cases of a lethal tick-borne virus in Japan are reportedly set to start passing the 100-people-per-year mark for the first time since record keeping on the condition began in 2013. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced on Nov. 19 that the 2019 total of 96 people affected with Huaiyangshan banyangvirus, also known as the SFTS virus, had surpassed the previous high of 90 in 2017. Additionally, the mortality rate is high, and due to the risk of infection being passed on by pets, the institute is warning people to be cautious. The virus that causes SFTS was discovered by a group of Chinese researchers in 2011. It lies dormant in the body for around six days to two weeks, when it then shows symptoms including a fever, diarrhea and bloody bowel discharges. Mortality rates of 30% have been reported. Only symptomatic treatment is available for those suffering from the virus, and...