Tick-borne virus hits outdoor business

Fewer people are buying equipment for outdoor activities over fears of a deadly tick-borne virus.

According to multiple retailers, sales of outdoor products such as hiking boots and climbing equipment have shrunk since the national disease control agency issued a public alert last month after the death of the country’s second infected patient.

“It’s quite uncommon to see camping equipment and outdoor gear’s sales drop before the summer vacation season,” an official from a local retail store was quoted as saying by Yonhap News.

Lotte Department Store officials said sales of outdoor goods between May 16 and 31 were down 33 percent from May 1 to 15, when public awareness of the fatal tick virus threat was relatively low.

Shinsegae Department Store also experienced a slump in sales, going down 18.4 percent during the same period. Local discount store Lotte Mart said it saw a 62.9 and 32 percent decline in sales of portable gas stoves and hiking sticks, respectively, between the 16th and 30th.

Thrombocytopenia syndrome, or SFTS, causes high fever, diarrhea, vomiting and even organ failure and death.

Currently two people have been confirmed to have been killed and an epidemiologic investigation is being carried out to define the cause of death of two more. The Ministry of Health said up to 58 suspected cases were reported last month.

By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)