With outdoor activities in full swing during the autumn season—ranging from farming to exploring local trails—health authorities are urging the public to be vigilant against tick-borne infectious diseases such as tsutsugamushi disease and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS).

According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the 7th, Jeju reported two cases of tsutsugamushi disease and eight cases of SFTS between January and September of this year.

Chigger mites, which transmit tsutsugamushi disease, are most active during the autumn months, while hard ticks, which spread SFTS, remain active from spring through autumn.

To prevent infection, individuals should minimize skin exposure to avoid tick bites during agricultural work or outdoor activities.

Recommended preventive measures include wearing long sleeves, long pants, hats, and gloves, and tucking the bottom of pants into socks. Wearing fully enclosed shoes or boots also helps prevent ticks from crawling inside clothing. Upon returning home, people should immediately wash their worn clothes and take a shower to check for any ticks attached to their bodies.

If a tick is found attached to the skin, pulling it off forcefully can leave part of the tick behind; therefore, it is advisable to visit a medical institution for safe removal. After being bitten, individuals should monitor themselves closely for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea for about 14 days.

If suspicious symptoms like fever, chills, or muscle aches occur after outdoor activities, they should not be dismissed as a common cold. Instead, individuals should immediately visit a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment.

Jeju Province is actively raising awareness of autumn tick-borne disease prevention rules among residents and tourists using city and intercity bus banners, and plans to continue educational and promotional campaigns.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]