Mainichi A veterinarian in Mie Prefecture who treated cats infected with an ixodid tick-borne disease has died from the same illness, the local veterinarians’ association told the Mainichi Shimbun on June 13.
The veterinarian is believed to have contracted “severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)” from one of the cats, prompting the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, which was notified by the Mie prefectural veterinarians’ association, to call for caution during treatment.
According to a report by the prefectural association, the veterinarian hospitalized two cats, a 9-month-old male and female, each showing symptoms of SFTS for one week to 10 days in late April, sending samples to a private testing facility while providing treatment.