Key Facts
• A dog in Tokyo was confirmed infected with SFTS, a tick-borne disease.
• This marks the first confirmed animal infection in Tokyo.
• SFTS (Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) causes fever, cough, vomiting, and can be fatal.
• Last month, the dog showed symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea; a tick was found on it.
• The dog passed away on September 27, but its pre-existing conditions complicate links to SFTS.
• Tokyo has recorded two prior human SFTS cases but no animal cases until now.
• Authorities urge precautions to prevent tick bites for both humans and pets during outdoor activities.
Summary
Tokyo has reported its first case of a dog infected with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), a tick-borne disease. The dog exhibited symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea last month, and a tick was discovered on its body. Despite testing positive for SFTS, the dog’s death on September 27 cannot be conclusively linked to the disease due to underlying health issues. While Tokyo has previously confirmed two human cases of SFTS, this is the first instance involving an animal. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions against tick bites for both themselves and their pets during outdoor activities.
