What are the Symptoms of Meningococcal Meningitis? Transmission Routes and Prevention Focus at a Glance
Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control announced two new cases of meningococcal meningitis, bringing the total to seven this year, a 10-year high for the same period. The agency is raising awareness about the symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention measures for this disease, which has a fatality rate of up to 40%.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 23:06
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Meningococcal meningitis is an acute infectious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis, prevalent in winter and spring. It is a respiratory infectious disease, mainly transmitted through droplets and contact, usually requiring close or prolonged contact for effective transmission.
Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and hemorrhagic rash. Some patients may experience coma, delirium, and convulsions.
The main prevention is to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, practice frequent handwashing and cough etiquette, avoid prolonged stays in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, and high-risk groups can consider self-funded vaccination after physician evaluation.
Central News
(Central News Agency website, 5th) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced two new cases of meningococcal meningitis on the 5th. The cases are a 1-month-old male infant and a male in his 30s from central Taiwan, both currently hospitalized for treatment. The cumulative number of cases in Taiwan this year has reached 7, a 10-year high for the same period. The CDC reminds that the fatality rate of meningococcal meningitis can be as high as 40%.
What are the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis? How to prevent it? Central News Agency brings you a comprehensive overview.
Meningococcal meningitis is an acute infectious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis, prevalent in winter and spring. It is a respiratory infectious disease, mainly transmitted through droplets and contact, usually requiring close or prolonged contact for effective transmission.
The incubation period is 2 to 10 days, usually 3 to 4 days. As long as Neisseria meningitidis is present in the nasal cavity or throat secretions, it is infectious.
Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and hemorrhagic rash. Some patients may experience coma, delirium, and convulsions.
If suspected symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your travel history. The CDC reminds that in severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and even septic shock leading to death. Since the fatality rate of meningococcal meningitis can be as high as 40%, timely antibiotic treatment is crucial.
The main prevention is to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, practice frequent handwashing and cough etiquette, avoid prolonged stays in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, and high-risk groups can consider self-funded vaccination after physician evaluation.
Meningococcal meningitis is a global disease. The main epidemic areas are located in the "African Meningitis Belt" region, which spans central Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Crowded places or activities are also more likely to cause disease transmission.
If you plan to travel to an epidemic area, it is recommended to get vaccinated 10 days before departure. The Saudi Arabian government requires vaccination for pilgrims to the country. Protection develops approximately 7 to 10 days after vaccination and can last for 5 years. If continuously exposed to high-risk environments, a booster shot can be considered every 5 years. (Edited by Kuo Yu-ju) 1150505
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Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and hemorrhagic rash. Some patients may experience coma, delirium, and convulsions.
The main prevention is to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, practice frequent handwashing and cough etiquette, avoid prolonged stays in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, and high-risk groups can consider self-funded vaccination after physician evaluation.
Central News
(Central News Agency website, 5th) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced two new cases of meningococcal meningitis on the 5th. The cases are a 1-month-old male infant and a male in his 30s from central Taiwan, both currently hospitalized for treatment. The cumulative number of cases in Taiwan this year has reached 7, a 10-year high for the same period. The CDC reminds that the fatality rate of meningococcal meningitis can be as high as 40%.
What are the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis? How to prevent it? Central News Agency brings you a comprehensive overview.
Meningococcal meningitis is an acute infectious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis, prevalent in winter and spring. It is a respiratory infectious disease, mainly transmitted through droplets and contact, usually requiring close or prolonged contact for effective transmission.
The incubation period is 2 to 10 days, usually 3 to 4 days. As long as Neisseria meningitidis is present in the nasal cavity or throat secretions, it is infectious.
Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, and hemorrhagic rash. Some patients may experience coma, delirium, and convulsions.
If suspected symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your travel history. The CDC reminds that in severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and even septic shock leading to death. Since the fatality rate of meningococcal meningitis can be as high as 40%, timely antibiotic treatment is crucial.
The main prevention is to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, practice frequent handwashing and cough etiquette, avoid prolonged stays in crowded or poorly ventilated environments, and high-risk groups can consider self-funded vaccination after physician evaluation.
Meningococcal meningitis is a global disease. The main epidemic areas are located in the "African Meningitis Belt" region, which spans central Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Crowded places or activities are also more likely to cause disease transmission.
If you plan to travel to an epidemic area, it is recommended to get vaccinated 10 days before departure. The Saudi Arabian government requires vaccination for pilgrims to the country. Protection develops approximately 7 to 10 days after vaccination and can last for 5 years. If continuously exposed to high-risk environments, a booster shot can be considered every 5 years. (Edited by Kuo Yu-ju) 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 grasp the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.