Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) today (28) announced two new domestic cases of Japanese encephalitis. Case 1 is a woman in her 70s from Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City, with a chronic disease history. In mid‑July she experienced weakness, drowsiness and fever, went to the hospital emergency department and was admitted. Hospital reporting and testing confirmed Japanese encephalitis, and her condition worsened, leading to her unfortunate death in late July, the first Japanese encephalitis death case in 2026. Co‑habitants showed no suspected symptoms, and the case’s residence is near high‑risk sites such as rice fields, streams, pigsties and pigeon coops. Case 2 is a man in his 50s from Dayuan District, Taoyuan City. In mid‑July he developed fever and headache; two days later he collapsed and sought medical care. Hospital reporting and testing confirmed Japanese encephalitis, and he is currently hospitalized and receiving treatment. Health authorities have launched investigations and installed mosquito‑attracting lamps around high‑risk sites near the case’s residence, while also strengthening public education and vaccination for eligible children as preventive measures.
CDC monitoring data show that domestically, a total of 10 confirmed cases have been recorded in 2026, including one death, distributed as six cases in Taoyuan City and one each in Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County and Hualien County. In Taiwan, May to October each year is the Japanese encephalitis season, with a peak in June‑July. The nationwide confirmed case numbers for the same period in 2022‑2025 were 17, 19, 21 and 19 respectively, and the number of deaths (1‑2) is comparable to recent years; most confirmed cases are adults over 40, but all age groups are at risk. The public is urged to stay vigilant and not be complacent.
CDC states that the main vectors of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan are the three‑spot mosquito, the Culex tritaeniorhynchus, and the Culex quinquefasciatus, which commonly breed in rice fields, ponds, irrigation ditches and streams. Most people infected with Japanese encephalitis have no obvious symptoms; those who do may experience headache, fever, and in severe cases may develop altered consciousness, inability to recognize people, time or place, generalized weakness, and even coma or death. The public should avoid mosquito‑biting peak times such as early morning or evening, and avoid activities in high‑risk locations like pigsties and other animal shelters. 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.
CDC urges that the most effective way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is vaccination. The routine schedule for Taiwanese 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 time to avoid severe complications from infection. In addition, residents living or traveling near high‑risk environments such as pigsties or rice fields should implement mosquito‑prevention measures; adults who feel they may be at risk can visit travel medicine clinics to assess self‑paid vaccination. 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: CDC
Data compiled: Sensory Management Office
