Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome ( SFTS) in Chaohu city from 2011 to 2017, and explore the exposure factors and the possibility of human transmission. Methods We collected data on the cases of SFTS in the epidemic from 2011 to 2017 in the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System.Epidemiological investigations were conducted on individual cases and blood samples were collected for the detection of novel Bunia virus nucleic acids. Descriptive research methods were used to conduct epidemiological analysis of cases of fever with thrombocytopenia in Chaohu city from 2011 to 2017. Results A total of 87 cases of SFTS were reported in Chaohu city from 2011 to 2017. The average annual incidence was 1.54/10⁵, the reported incidence was on the rise (χ²=40.3,P<0.001), and the average annual mortality was 13.73%. SFTS cases were mainly distributed in hilly area. Most cases were reported from April to July. Among these cases, 93% cases were farmers, 75 patients had field exposure history of farm work, and 1 patient had a close contact with history. Patients had fever but no typical clinical manifestations. Conclusions The incidence of SFTS in Chaohu city was on the rise.A few cases of SFTS were limited to human to human transmission. Epidemiological history and laboratory detection of a novel Bunia virus nucleic acid are helpful in the diagnosis.