The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) today (the 5th) announced the addition of two confirmed cases of epidemic meningococcal meningitis. Case 1 is a one‑month‑old domestic male infant born in the south; on April 17 he showed loss of appetite and crying, and the next day was taken to a hospital for fever and admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment, and laboratory testing confirmed infection with Neisseria meningitidis. His condition is currently stable and he remains hospitalized. Health authorities have identified four household members as close contacts, all of whom have received prophylactic medication. The other case’s contacts, including infants and staff at a postpartum care home, were monitored until April 29, and none showed suspected epidemic meningococcal meningitis symptoms. Case 2 is a domestic male in his thirties from central Taiwan; from April 26 he experienced fever, cough, and bilateral leg pain, and on April 28 he sought hospital care for chest tightness and difficulty breathing and was hospitalized; testing confirmed infection with Neisseria meningitidis. His condition is also stable and he remains hospitalized. One close contact showed no suspected symptoms, and health authorities have provided health education and monitoring.
According to CDC monitoring data, Taiwan has recorded a total of seven confirmed cases of epidemic meningococcal meningitis this year, higher than the 0–6 cases reported in the same period from 2017 to 2025. Statistics over the past ten years (since 2017) show that the most common age group for infection is 25–64 years (30.2%), followed by those aged 65 and over (28.6%), and 19–24 years (20.6%). The majority of cases are caused by serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis.
The CDC explains that cases continue to occur worldwide, with Africa being the main endemic region, especially the African “Meningitis Belt” south of the Sahara Desert, which is in the dry season (December to June) and at the peak of the epidemic. To date this year, 22 countries have reported 6,929 suspected cases, the highest numbers being in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger and Burkina Faso, with 340 deaths. Neighboring countries such as Vietnam have experienced a more severe outbreak, with reported cases higher than the same period last year and multiple deaths. In Europe and North America, including Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, the epidemic has also risen in recent years; in the United States, the recent increase is mainly due to serogroup Y, while Kent County in the United Kingdom experienced a large cluster in March this year. In addition, the large Hajj pilgrimage in the Middle East in May could trigger another wave of the epidemic.
The CDC states that epidemic meningococcal meningitis is primarily transmitted through contact with the throat or nasal secretions or droplets of an infected or carrier individual, and effective transmission requires close (e.g., kissing or coughing) or prolonged contact. About 5%–10% of healthy people may be asymptomatic carriers in the nasopharynx, and only a small proportion of carriers develop invasive disease; those with weakened immunity are more susceptible. The incubation period is approximately 2–10 days. Main symptoms include fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and petechial rash; sometimes coma and delirium may also occur. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, and even shock and death, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment. Infants under one year often present atypical and less obvious clinical signs, usually only fever and vomiting, and may also show irritability, crying, difficulty feeding, or bulging fontanelle, but not necessarily neck stiffness or other typical meningitis signs.
The CDC reminds that to prevent epidemic meningococcal meningitis, one should avoid staying for long periods in crowded or poorly ventilated environments and maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of infection; especially since newborns’ immune systems are not fully developed, caregivers and anyone in contact with newborns should pay particular attention to respiratory hygiene. Those with respiratory symptoms should avoid contact with newborns as much as possible; if contact is necessary, a mask should be worn and hands properly washed before contact. If suspected symptoms appear, seek medical care promptly to prevent worsening. For more information, visit the CDC’s global website ( https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (0800‑001922) for inquiries. https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (0800‑001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Compiled by: Infection Control Office
