With summer approaching, …health officials in Korea are warning the public to keep an eye out for ticks in order to avoid tick-borne illnesses.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the country's first case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SF-T-S, in Chungcheongnam-do Province earlier this month, ...followed by another case in Gangwon-do Province.
The cases come about a month earlier compared to last year, …and advisories have been issued in the Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsang…and Jeolla provinces.
Seoul city said it will notify the public of the distribution of ticks on its Han River parks and trails.
Visitors are advised to wear long-sleeve shirts and pants, …and to avoid lying down on grassy areas.
Symptoms associated with SF-T-S include fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.