The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced two new cases of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan on July 28:
Case 1 is a woman in her 70s from Taoyuan City, Taoyuan District, with a history of chronic diseases. In mid-July, she developed symptoms such as weakness, drowsiness, and fever. She went to the emergency room and was hospitalized. After being notified by the hospital, she was diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis. She later passed away in late July due to the deterioration of her condition.
This is the first death case of Japanese encephalitis this year.
Her cohabitants had no similar symptoms. There are high-risk areas such as rice paddies, streams, pigsties, and pigeon coops near her residence.
Case 2 is a man in his 50s from Dayuan District, Taoyuan City. In mid-July, he developed symptoms such as fever and headache. Two days later, he collapsed and went to the hospital. After being notified by the hospital, he was diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis. He is currently hospitalized.
Health authorities have launched relevant investigations and hung mosquito traps in high-risk areas around the case's residence. They have also strengthened public health education and vaccination of eligible young children.
According to the CDC data, there have been 10 confirmed cases of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan this year , including one death.
The cases are distributed as follows: 6 in Taoyuan City, and 1 each in Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, and Hualien County.
The Japanese encephalitis epidemic season in Taiwan is from May to October each year, with the peak occurring in June and July.
The CDC stated that the main mosquito vectors transmitting Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan are Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Culex annularis, and Culex pipiens albopictus, which commonly breed in rice paddies, ponds, irrigation ditches, and streams. Most people infected with Japanese encephalitis experience no obvious symptoms.
Those who do may experience headaches and fever, while severe cases can lead to altered consciousness, disorientation, general weakness, and even coma or death.
The public is advised to avoid peak mosquito-feeding times, such as early morning or evening, and to avoid high-risk mosquito-borne environments like pigsties and other animal sheds.
If avoidance is unavoidable, wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and apply government-approved mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 to exposed skin.
CDC emphasizes that the most effective way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is vaccination. In Taiwan, the routine vaccination schedule for children is the first dose at 15 months of age, followed by a second dose 12 months later. The public is reminded to take eligible children to local health centers or contracted medical facilities for timely vaccination to avoid serious long-term consequences from infection. In addition, residents whose homes or activity areas are near high-risk environments such as pigsties or rice paddies should take mosquito prevention measures. Adults who feel they are at risk of infection can visit a travel medicine clinic for an assessment and receive the Japanese encephalitis vaccine at their own expense.