Veterinarian in Japan Dies After Contracting Rare Tick-Borne Virus While Treating Infected Cats
A tragic case has raised alarm in Japan’s veterinary and public health communities after a veterinarian in Mie Prefecture died from a rare and potentially deadly tick-borne illness known as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS). The veterinarian is believed to have contracted the virus while treating two cats that were later confirmed to be infected with SFTS, the Mie Prefectural Veterinarians’ Association reported on June 13.
This incident marks a rare but serious case of suspected animal-to-human transmission, highlighting the occupational risks veterinarians face when treating animals carrying zoonotic diseases.
What Is SFTS?
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) is a viral illness caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV), a member of the Phlebovirus genus in the Bunyavirales order. First identified in China in 2009, SFTS is transmitted primarily through bites from ixodid ticks, especially the Haemaphysalis longicornis species, which is commonly found in East Asia.
The disease can also be transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals, which is believed to be the case in the recent fatality.
Symptoms and Severity
SFTS typically begins with nonspecific flu-like symptoms such as:
High fever
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Headaches
Muscle pain
As the disease progresses, it may lead to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), leukopenia (low white blood cell count), multi-organ failure, and hemorrhaging. The case-fatality rate is alarmingly high, with mortality rates ranging from 10% to 30%, depending on the patient's age, immune status, and how early treatment begins.
Japan has reported hundreds of human SFTS cases since 2013, mainly in western and southwestern regions, where the tick vector is common. However, fatal human infections resulting from contact with infected animals—especially domestic pets like cats—are rare.
Timeline of the Case
According to the Mie Prefectural Veterinarians’ Association, the deceased veterinarian began treating two 9-month-old cats (one male and one female) in late April, both of which showed signs consistent with SFTS. The cats were hospitalized and treated for seven to ten days, and samples were sent to a private diagnostic lab for testing.
Despite infection control efforts, the veterinarian is believed to have contracted the virus during close contact with one or both of the animals, likely via exposure to their blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids.
The veterinarian’s condition worsened, and despite medical intervention, they succumbed to the illness—a stark reminder of the disease’s severity and how easily it can spread in veterinary and clinical environments when zoonotic pathogens are involved.
Call for Caution in Veterinary Practice
In response, the Japan Veterinary Medical Association has issued a nationwide alert urging veterinarians to exercise heightened precautions when treating animals suspected of carrying SFTS or other tick-borne diseases. This includes:
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection
Avoiding direct contact with animal fluids
Proper isolation procedures for suspected SFTS cases
Submitting samples to public health laboratories for rapid diagnosis
Educating veterinary staff and pet owners about tick prevention
Implications for Public Health and Veterinary Safety
This case serves as a grim warning about the real and growing risks of zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. As tick populations expand due to climate change and other ecological factors, the spread of diseases like SFTS is expected to rise. Veterinarians, wildlife handlers, and pet owners must remain vigilant, particularly in endemic regions.
Authorities also stress the importance of tick control in pets, including the regular use of tick preventatives, avoiding wooded or grassy areas with high tick activity, and routine tick checks after outdoor exposure.
The identity of the veterinarian has not been released, but the tragedy has prompted an outpouring of condolences and renewed discussions about veterinary occupational safety in Japan and beyond.