2015.05.20
Eight trombidiasis case in Okinawa since 2008 confirmed
The Prefectural Health and Longevity Division announced May 18th that a man in his 60’s living on Miyako Island was infected with trombidiasis disease caused by a bite of a trombiculid mite.
The man became sick on April 27th, and as of May 18th had undergone treatment in a hospital. This is the eighth diagnosed case in Okinawa since 2008.
Trombidiasis disease has an incubation period of 5 to 14 days, after which people will show symptoms that include high fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash. The infection does not spread from person to person.
Prefectural government officials are alerting people to use bug spray and cover their bodies with long sleeves and pants when going into a jungle or forested hilly areas.