60-year-old Foreign Woman Confirmed with Meningococcal Meningitis, 21 Contacts Identified

Taipei, April 14 (CNA) – The Ministry of Health and Welfare Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today announced one new confirmed case of meningococcal meningitis, a 65-year-old foreign woman. She entered Taiwan on April 1st and developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting on April 3rd. She is currently hospitalized. CDC epidemic prevention physician Lin Yong-ching stated that the individual, who has no underlying chronic diseases and is unvaccinated, was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction and bacteremia. Neisseria meningitidis was cultured from her blood, confirming meningococcal meningitis. She is now stable. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui noted that 21 contacts, including travel companions and hospital contacts, have been identified for health monitoring, and 3 are being evaluated for prophylactic medication. CDC Epidemic Center Director Kuo Hung-wei mentioned that the most severe areas for meningococcal disease globally are the 'meningitis belt' in sub-Saharan Africa. Vietnam and the UK have also reported recent outbreaks.