The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (the 16th) that a new confirmed case of Japanese encephalitis has been added in the country. The patient is a female infant under 1 year old from Hualien City, Hualien County, who has not yet reached the vaccination age for Japanese encephalitis, has no travel history domestically or abroad, and no congenital disease history. In late May, she developed fever and drowsiness, went to the emergency department and was hospitalized. During hospitalization she continued to have high fever and epileptic seizures, and the hospital reported Japanese encephalitis and confirmed the diagnosis through testing. She is currently receiving inpatient treatment. Other household members have no suspected symptoms. There are no high‑risk sites near the case’s residence; health authorities have investigated and assessed environmental risks related to the patient’s activity history before onset, implemented relevant control measures, and strengthened health education for the local public.
CDC monitoring data show that the cumulative total of confirmed cases in the country for 2026 is now two. In Taiwan, May through October each year is the Japanese encephalitis transmission season, with a peak in June and July. The number of confirmed cases nationwide during the same period in 2022‑2025 were 4, 7, 10, and 3 respectively, with most cases in adults over 40, although all age groups are at risk. The public is reminded to stay vigilant and not be complacent.
The CDC states that the primary vectors of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan are the three‑spot mosquito, the banded mosquito, and the white‑headed mosquito, which commonly breed in rice fields, ponds, and irrigation ditches. Most people infected with Japanese encephalitis are asymptomatic; those who develop symptoms may experience headache, fever, etc., and severe cases can lead to altered consciousness, disorientation, generalized weakness, and even coma or death. The public should avoid mosquito‑active periods such as early morning or dusk, and avoid high‑risk locations like pigsties and other animal shelters where vectors are abundant. If avoidance is not possible, wear light‑colored long‑sleeved clothing and apply government‑approved insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin.
The CDC urges that the most effective way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is vaccination. In Taiwan, the routine 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 bring eligible children to local health centers or contracted clinics for vaccination on schedule to avoid serious sequelae from infection. In addition, residents living or working near high‑risk environments such as pigsties or rice fields should implement mosquito‑control measures; adults who consider themselves at risk may visit travel medicine clinics to assess and obtain a self‑paid Japanese encephalitis vaccine. For more information, visit the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic‑prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Surveillance Office
