Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on the 7th that the first imported case of Lyme disease in Taiwan in 2026 has been confirmed. The case is a woman in her 60s from northern Taiwan. She had been living in Sweden since May 2024 and had engaged in forest activities near her residence, during which she was bitten by ticks. On March 10, she sought medical attention due to a skin rash. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with antibiotics. She returned to Taiwan on March 17. As her symptoms improved, she visited hospitals again on March 18 and March 25. Laboratory testing confirmed infection with the Lyme disease pathogen. Based on her travel history and exposure, the infection was determined to have been acquired in Sweden. She has since recovered and is resting at home.

According to CDC statistics, since Lyme disease was classified as a Category 4 notifiable infectious disease in Taiwan in 2007, there have been a total of 21 confirmed cases (ranging from 0–3 cases per year), all of which were imported. Most cases were from the United States (13 cases), with others from European countries such as Sweden, the United Kingdom, and France. In recent years, global case numbers have been increasing, with notable geographic variation. The United States reported at least 89,000 cases in 2023, with spread extending from the northeastern region to southern areas. Europe reports approximately 132,000 cases annually, mainly in Northern, Eastern, and parts of Western Europe. Germany saw a marked increase in cases in some regions in 2025. Sweden reports about 10,000 cases annually. In Asia, South Korea and Japan also saw relatively high numbers in 2023, with approximately 39 and 18 cases reported in 2025, respectively.

The CDC explained that Lyme disease is a zoonotic infectious disease transmitted through the bite of infected ticks (commonly known as hard ticks). It is not spread from person to person. It mainly affects mammals, including humans, rodents, dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and deer. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 30 days (average about 7 days). About 70% to 80% of infected individuals develop a characteristic expanding skin rash. Early symptoms may include headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes—similar to flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, it may lead to cardiac or neurological complications.

The CDC reminds the public to take protective measures when engaging in outdoor activities or traveling to endemic areas. Wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and long pants to reduce skin exposure, and apply government-approved insect repellents. After returning indoors, check for ticks on the body, bathe promptly, and change clothes. If a tick is found attached, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it close to the skin and remove it carefully, avoiding crushing the tick’s body, then clean the bite area with soap and water. If symptoms develop, seek medical attention promptly and inform healthcare providers of any travel or exposure history to aid diagnosis and treatment.

For more information, visit the CDC website（https://www.cdc.gov.tw）or call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (0800-001922).

URL: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/PINYEKfL_h8rLyfBErEiAg?typeid=9