A research institute in Japan says the number of people infected so far this year with a disease transmitted mainly by ticks has reached a record high.
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, or SFTS, can cause a reduction in blood platelets, hemorrhaging or unconsciousness. The health ministry says from 10 percent to 30 percent of cases are fatal.
Preliminary data announced by the Japan Institute for Health Security show four new cases in the seven days to the end of August. That brought the 2025 total to date to 149, surpassing the previous high set for all of 2023.
The institute says cases have been reported in 32 prefectures, mainly in western Japan. It says 14 were in Kochi, 12 in Oita, 9 each in Kumamoto and Nagasaki and 8 each in Kagoshima, Shimane and Hyogo.
It says there were also infections in the Kanto region and Hokkaido, where no cases were reported until last year.
The health ministry says cases could be reported in areas other than western Japan. It is calling on people to reduce skin exposure and take other precautions when going outdoors.