Psychosocial concerns regarding male HPV vaccination.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a rapidly emerging zoonosis caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed SFTSV among the priority pathogens with pandemic potential, underscoring its capacity to breach species barriers and circulate in both humans and animals. SFTSV was first reported in China in 2011, with cases primarily distributed in rural areas of central and eastern China (). SFTS cases have subsequently been reported in Japan, Myanmar, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam (). The clinical manifestations of SFTS primarily include fever, fatigue, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhagic symptoms, gastrointestinal disturbances, and multiorgan failure, with fatality rates ranging from 12% to 30% (), and the incidence has shown an increasing trend in recent years (). The incidence of SFTS is predominantly observed between April and October each year, especially the highest incidence from May to July, with obvious seasonal characteristics. Epidemiological investigations revealed that 90% of the patients were over 40 years old, and the case fatality rates tended to increase with age (). SFTSV, which was named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses in 2024, belongs to the genus , family Phenuiviridae, order Hareavirales, and class Bunyaviricetes. SFTSV is an enveloped RNA virus whose genome consists of three single-stranded negative-sense RNA fragments (, , and ), encoding RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, glycoproteins (GPs) (Gn/Gc), nucleoprotein, and nonstructural protein, respectively. The Gn protein is a type I transmembrane protein that encodes neutralizing antibody epitopes that are capable of binding neutralizing antibodies in the host. The Gc protein is a type II transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role in receptor binding and membrane fusion, although its protective role has been less extensively studied (). SFTSV is transmitted primarily by ticks, and is considered the main vector tick. With the changing global climate, the number of regions suitable for the survival of is gradually increasing, which also suggests that the potential range of the impact of SFTSV may be expanding (). However, although is the principal vector, SFTSV infection is not confined to arthropod-human cycles (). Viral RNA or serological evidence has been detected in a wide range of animals, including livestock (e.g., dogs, cats, goats, pigs, cattle, deer) and wildlife (rodents and avian species) (). Of particular concern is the infection in companion animals, notably dogs and cats, which exhibit higher mortality rates than humans do (, ). Several investigations have documented probable dog-to-human and cat-to-human transmission after close contact with viremic pets, including veterinary clinical outbreaks and household clusters without tick exposure (). These observations confirm that the SFTSV can move bidirectionally across the animal-human interface, greatly complicating control efforts. Currently, 92% of SFTS patients are farmers engaged in long-term agricultural work who reside in wooded/hilly areas and have close contact with natural environments (). As a high-risk population for SFTSV infection (), they often lack access to appropriate medical support. Given that SFTS is a viral infectious disease with a relatively high fatality rate and that no specific drugs are currently available, preventive measures against this disease are essential. To align with the WHO’s Immunization Agenda 2030 (), it is necessary to provide immunization protection for such high-risk populations. Furthermore, studies have identified SFTSV-carrying ticks in urban parks, which may transmit the virus to humans through direct bites or pet-mediated transmission (). Nevertheless, there is currently no approved vaccine to prevent SFTSV infection effectively.