Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Associated with a Novel Bunyavirus

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a newly recognized pathogen and the first highly pathogenic tick-borne virus reported in the genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae. Except for some basic knowledge on viral biology and epidemiology as well as the establishment of diagnostics and the description of the clinical disease syndrome, little is known about this emerging pathogen. Currently, there are neither therapeutic approaches nor vaccines available for the treatment and prophylaxis of SFTSV infections. In the absence of more thorough ecology and epidemiology, prevention is based on education targeting towards avoiding exposure through ticks and blood and secretions/excretions of patients. Urgently needed are further studies on the pathogenesis and host responses to infection in order to define targets for therapeutic intervention and strategies for vaccination.