2 New Cases of Epidemic Meningitis, Cases Reach 10-Year High for Same Period
Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced two new cases of epidemic meningitis, bringing the total number of cases this year to seven, a 10-year high for the same period. The new cases include a one-month-old male infant and a male in his 30s.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 16:42
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, May 5) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today announced two new cases of epidemic meningitis, a one-month-old male infant in the south and a male in his 30s in the central region, both of whom are currently hospitalized for treatment. This year, the cumulative number of epidemic meningitis cases in Taiwan has reached seven, a new high for the same period in 10 years.
Kuo Hung-wei, Director of the CDC's Epidemic Command Center, explained at today's regular epidemic weekly report that Taiwan has accumulated seven confirmed cases of epidemic meningitis this year, higher than the 0 to 6 cases during the same period from 2017 to 2025. In the past 10 years, the age group with the most infections was 25 to 64 years old, accounting for 30.2%, followed by those aged 65 and above at 28.6%, and 19 to 24 years old at 20.6%. Cases are most commonly infected with Neisseria meningitidis type B.
Regarding the two new cases, epidemic prevention physician Lin Yung-ching explained that the one-month-old male infant in the south is the youngest case in the past 10 years. He had no congenital medical history and was admitted to a postpartum care center after birth. From April 17 this year, he successively developed symptoms such as poor appetite, fever, and fussiness. After seeking medical attention at a clinic, he was transferred to the emergency department. Based on cerebrospinal fluid test results, the doctor diagnosed bacterial meningitis and admitted him to the intensive care unit for antibiotic treatment.
Lin Yung-ching explained that Neisseria meningitidis was subsequently detected in the infant's cerebrospinal fluid, confirming epidemic meningitis. He has been hospitalized for two weeks, his vital signs are stable, and he has been transferred to a general ward, but is still under observation. Although the patient's family members had upper respiratory tract symptoms, Neisseria meningitidis was not detected in their samples; no bacteria were detected in the staff or infants at the postpartum care center where he stayed, so the source of infection cannot be determined.
The second case is a male in his 30s in the central region. Lin Yung-ching said that he had no underlying medical history. From April 26, he developed symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, and lower limb pain. Two days later, he experienced chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat. He sought emergency medical attention, and the doctor diagnosed sepsis, admitting him to the hospital for antibiotic treatment. He was subsequently confirmed. Currently, this patient has been hospitalized for one week, is asymptomatic, and is still under observation. The source of infection is pending clarification, and the infection type is still being tested.
The CDC stated that epidemic meningitis is mainly transmitted through contact with throat and nasal secretions or droplets from infected individuals or carriers, and requires close (kissing or coughing) or prolonged contact for effective transmission. About 10% of healthy individuals may be asymptomatic carriers in the nasopharynx, but less than 1% will develop invasive disease. Immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to the disease.
Lin Yung-ching reminded that the main symptoms of epidemic meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and hemorrhagic rash. Sometimes, symptoms such as coma and delirium may also appear. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, or even shock and death, with a fatality rate of up to 40%. Timely antibiotic treatment is required. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, May 5) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today announced two new cases of epidemic meningitis, a one-month-old male infant in the south and a male in his 30s in the central region, both of whom are currently hospitalized for treatment. This year, the cumulative number of epidemic meningitis cases in Taiwan has reached seven, a new high for the same period in 10 years.
Kuo Hung-wei, Director of the CDC's Epidemic Command Center, explained at today's regular epidemic weekly report that Taiwan has accumulated seven confirmed cases of epidemic meningitis this year, higher than the 0 to 6 cases during the same period from 2017 to 2025. In the past 10 years, the age group with the most infections was 25 to 64 years old, accounting for 30.2%, followed by those aged 65 and above at 28.6%, and 19 to 24 years old at 20.6%. Cases are most commonly infected with Neisseria meningitidis type B.
Regarding the two new cases, epidemic prevention physician Lin Yung-ching explained that the one-month-old male infant in the south is the youngest case in the past 10 years. He had no congenital medical history and was admitted to a postpartum care center after birth. From April 17 this year, he successively developed symptoms such as poor appetite, fever, and fussiness. After seeking medical attention at a clinic, he was transferred to the emergency department. Based on cerebrospinal fluid test results, the doctor diagnosed bacterial meningitis and admitted him to the intensive care unit for antibiotic treatment.
Lin Yung-ching explained that Neisseria meningitidis was subsequently detected in the infant's cerebrospinal fluid, confirming epidemic meningitis. He has been hospitalized for two weeks, his vital signs are stable, and he has been transferred to a general ward, but is still under observation. Although the patient's family members had upper respiratory tract symptoms, Neisseria meningitidis was not detected in their samples; no bacteria were detected in the staff or infants at the postpartum care center where he stayed, so the source of infection cannot be determined.
The second case is a male in his 30s in the central region. Lin Yung-ching said that he had no underlying medical history. From April 26, he developed symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, and lower limb pain. Two days later, he experienced chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat. He sought emergency medical attention, and the doctor diagnosed sepsis, admitting him to the hospital for antibiotic treatment. He was subsequently confirmed. Currently, this patient has been hospitalized for one week, is asymptomatic, and is still under observation. The source of infection is pending clarification, and the infection type is still being tested.
The CDC stated that epidemic meningitis is mainly transmitted through contact with throat and nasal secretions or droplets from infected individuals or carriers, and requires close (kissing or coughing) or prolonged contact for effective transmission. About 10% of healthy individuals may be asymptomatic carriers in the nasopharynx, but less than 1% will develop invasive disease. Immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to the disease.
Lin Yung-ching reminded that the main symptoms of epidemic meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and hemorrhagic rash. Sometimes, symptoms such as coma and delirium may also appear. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis, or even shock and death, with a fatality rate of up to 40%. Timely antibiotic treatment is required. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.