Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV) infections in Zhejiang Province, China

Bunyaviruses are becoming increasingly important as ecological changes modulate vector dynamics and humans become targets.1,2 A novel Phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family, designated as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV), was confirmed to be associated with the SFTS reported in rural areas of Hubei and Henan provinces in central China.3 Sporadic cases infected by SFTSV have also been found in other non-epidemic regions of China.4 According to recent studies, SFTSV can be transmitted from person to person through blood contact.