Epidemiological and etiological investigation of a rare family cluster caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Anhui Province in 2023
Abstract Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease discovered in the 21st century. Human-to-human transmission of the disease has been documented, but the mechanisms of transmission require further investigation. Methods Epidemiologica...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Virology Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02665-2 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease discovered in the 21st century. Human-to-human transmission of the disease has been documented, but the mechanisms of transmission require further investigation. Methods Epidemiological investigations and genetic analyses of the patients were conducted, and a retrospective cohort study was performed to analyze potential risk factors for person-to-person transmission. Results According to epidemiologic investigations, 14 secondary cases had a clear history of exposure to blood and body fluids, and 3 secondary cases may have been exposed to aerosols in a poorly ventilated environment. Risk factor assessment revealed that the risk of SFTS was 6.778 times higher [RR = 6.778, 95%CI = 1.570-29.354] among those who had direct blood contact with the indicated patient compared to those who did not, and exposure to bloody secretions from the corpse was associated with a 12.800 times higher risk for SFTS [RR = 12.800, 95%CI = 1.479-110.789] compared to contact with the blood, bloody fluids, or secretions of living patients. Conclusions Contact with the blood of a deceased individual during funeral rites was associated with secondary cases of SFTS. The cluster outbreak is suspected to be due to person-to-person transmission of SFTSV, likely through direct contact with the blood of an SFTS patient, while the spread of aerosols in enclosed environments is also an undeniable mode of transmission. |
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| ISSN: | 1743-422X |