Deer ticks carrying a deadly virus have killed many people this summer in Shangcheng County, Henan Province, the Beijing News reported.

Similar cases were reported last summer, but the local government, fearing massive panic, only recently announced that the virus has turned epidemic this year.

The delay has contributed to the disease's high mortality rate as hospitals remained unaware of it. The virus infiltrates cells, killing blood platelets and leucocytes. Symptoms include fever, bloody coughs, vomiting and diarrhea. Victims usually die three to four days after being bitten by an infected bug.