The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) announced today (the 23rd) a new confirmed case of toxoplasmosis in the country, a woman in her 30s, Taiwanese, from the south, with no recent travel history domestically or abroad. In mid‑April, she sought medical care for a cold and was found to have a subcutaneous cyst on the left posterior neck, which was surgically removed. Blood tests detected Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies, and after reporting, the infection was confirmed. She has now recovered. One cohabitant shows no suspected symptoms. Health authorities have launched an outbreak investigation and related control measures, and also provide education to avoid raw food and practice proper food and hand hygiene.
CDC monitoring data show that toxoplasmosis cases occur throughout the year in our country. As of June 22, 2026, a total of six confirmed domestic cases have been recorded, all locally acquired, with ages ranging from the 30s to the 60s. This year’s total is lower than the same period in 2022‑2025 (which ranged from 7 to 17 cases).
CDC states that toxoplasmosis is a Category 4 legally notifiable infectious disease, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite. Felids are the definitive hosts. Humans become infected by ingesting contaminated water, food, or undercooked tissue containing cysts from infected animals, but it is not transmitted through person‑to‑person contact. The incubation period is 10–23 days. In immunocompetent individuals, infection is usually asymptomatic; a small proportion of acute cases may experience lymphadenopathy, fatigue, weakness, and moderate fever (38–38.5 °C). Pregnant women who acquire a primary infection can transmit the parasite to the fetus via the placenta, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal abnormalities; surviving newborns may later develop visual impairment, learning difficulties, or developmental delays. Immunocompromised persons often experience reactivation of a latent infection, most commonly affecting the brain and causing cerebral abscesses, which can result in altered consciousness, seizures, motor and speech deficits, and can be fatal.
CDC urges the public to cook meat to at least 66 °C or ensure it is thoroughly cooked, and to avoid tasting food during preparation. Pregnant women should avoid contact with stray or unknown cats; pet cats should be fed dry food, canned cat food, or cooked meals, and should not be allowed to hunt outdoors. Hands, cutting boards, knives, and dishes that have touched raw meat should be cleaned with detergent and water. When gardening or handling soil that may be contaminated with cat feces, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward. For more information, please refer to the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw), or call the public epidemic reporting and consultation hotline 1922 (0800-001922)
Data source: Disease Control Agency
Data organized: Sensory Management Office
