Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), caused by the Bandavirus dabieense (Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus: SFTSV), is an emerging tick-borne disease with a case-fatality rate of 5–30%. Endemic to East Asia with increasing global incidence, SFTS poses a significant public health threat, yet no specific antiviral or vaccine is approved. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of current therapeutic candidates for SFTS. We reviewed progress in drug repurposing (e.g., favipiravir), host-directed therapies, immunomodulators (including problematic steroid use), and passive antibody strategies. A limitation that necessitates early administration to achieve therapeutic benefit. Promising novel platforms, such as messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, are also discussed. We conclude by identifying key research gaps, including the need for combination therapies, improved animal models, and clinical trials designed to overcome the challenge of late presentation. Advancing these strategies is essential to developing an effective cure for this World Health Organization-priority pathogen.
Kareem et al. (2026) studied this question.