Authorities issue warning regarding ‘Beolcho’
Ticks pose problems to people tending ancestral graves

It is now Beolcho season, the time of year when Koreans traditionally trim grass and tidy up the graves of ancestors. Authorities are advising everyone to be cautious doing so, though, because a number of people have already contracted infectious diseases that are spread by wild ticks, which are commonly found at grave sites.

The province says so far this year, six people have contracted the tick-borne disease Scrub Typhus, and that four have contracted SFTS, short for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.

Officials are advising residents to spray insect repellant and wear long-sleeved clothing when out taking care of the graves.

If you experience a headache and fever, chills and/or muscle pain after after outdoor activities, authorities strongly advise that you seek immediate medical assistance.

벌초 시기…진드기 매개 질환 주의
벌초 시기를 맞아 야생진드기를 통해 감염되는 질환에 대한 주의가 요구되고 있습니다.

제주특별자치도에 따르면, 올 들어 야생진드기에 의해 감염된 쯔쯔가무시증 환자는 6명,
중증열성혈소판감소 증후군 환자는 4명이었습니다.

제주도는 벌초를 할 때 진드기에 물리지 않도록 긴 옷을 입고, 진드기 기피제를 뿌릴 것을 당부했습니다.

또 야외활동을 한 뒤에 두통과 발열, 오한, 근육통 등의 증상이 있을 때는 즉시 가까운 의료기관을 찾아 진료를 받아야 한다고 강조했습니다.