The Ixodid ticks has been suspected to be the vector of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) in Korea. In order to confirm transovarial transmission of Ixodid ticks, a total of blood fed 284 ticks were collected from six host animals. They were identified as 3 genera and 4 species, Haemaphysalis longicornis (97.2%), H. flava (0.7%), Ixodes nipponensis (1.8%) and Amblyomma testudinarium (0.4%). Among them, 192 female adults hatched their eggs successfully. Our results showed a high prevalence of SFTSV among collected ticks (3.1%, 6/192 ticks), and we detected SFTSV from their larvae. This result suggests that the parent generation of H. longicornis can transmit SFTSV transovarially into their F1 progeny and H. longicornis might be one of major vectors of SFTSV in Korea.

• Hyung-Woo Lim(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Seong Yoon Kim(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Won Il Park,(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Hak Seon Lee(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Kyu Sik Chang(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Wook-Gyo Lee(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• E-Hyun Shin(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Young Ran Ju(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)
• Jong Yul Roh(Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, NRIH, KCDC)