Veterinarian's Death Prompts Warning on Tick-Borne Disease in Japan

Cats can contract the potentially fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) from ticks found in wooded and grassy environments. A recent incident has prompted a nationwide alert to veterinary professionals.

A veterinarian in Mie Prefecture has died after exhibiting symptoms consistent with SFTS. The veterinarian had treated a cat infected with the SFTS virus. The individual developed respiratory distress in May, was hospitalized, and passed away shortly after. No tick bites were found on the body.

Health officials have not reported any related symptoms among the cat's owner or other veterinary staff. This would be the first confirmed instance in Japan of a veterinarian succumbing to SFTS contracted through treating an infected animal.

The SFTS virus is primarily spread through the bites of infected ticks. However, it can also be transmitted through the bodily fluids of infected animals, particularly cats and dogs. Common symptoms include fever, vomiting, and black stool, with an incubation period of six to 14 days.

The disease has a mortality rate of up to 30 percent in humans and can be as high as 60 percent in cats. Even indoor pets can become infected if they occasionally go outdoors.

Professor Tamaki Okabayashi of the University of Miyazaki warns that even common symptoms like fever, low energy, and jaundice could be signs of SFTS. He advises veterinarians in high-risk areas to consider the possibility of SFTS from the initial consultation and to use protective gear. He also recommends that animal lovers in affected areas avoid direct contact with unhealthy-looking outdoor cats.

Since SFTS was first reported in humans in Japan in 2013, over a thousand cases and over a hundred deaths have been recorded. Recent years have seen at least 100 new cases annually, with 2023 marking the highest number on record. Between 2018 and April 2025, eleven veterinary professionals in Japan were infected with SFTS through animal-related exposure.

To address the risks, the government has published detailed safety manuals for veterinary workers and guidance for communicating risks to pet owners.