The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) said today (the 9th) that domestically, as of September 7, 2026, there have been 30 newly confirmed monkeypox cases (20 locally transmitted and 10 imported), all of which are young adult males aged between 20 and 50. Analysis shows that although the number of local cases this year is lower than the same period in 2024 and 2025, the number of imported cases is about twice that of the same periods in 2024 and 2025 (4 and 5 cases respectively), with Thailand accounting for the most cases (6), and the others coming from Vietnam, India, Hong Kong, and Cambodia (one each). The public is reminded that when traveling to epidemic areas or domestic high‑risk venues, they should practice self‑protection and avoid close contact with unspecified persons, and those who meet the criteria for publicly funded monkeypox vaccination should promptly complete the two‑dose regimen to protect their health.
The CDC explained that recently two new confirmed monkeypox cases were added domestically, one local and one imported. The local case was infected with the Clade I Ib sub‑branch (hereafter Ib type), a man in his 40s who had unsafe sexual activity in early August and subsequently developed oral ulcers, fever, and a rash in mid‑August; after a physician’s assessment suspecting monkeypox, it was reported and confirmed. The imported case was infected with the Clade II (hereafter II type), a man in his 30s who traveled to Cambodia in mid‑August and also engaged in unsafe sexual activity, later developing fever, chills, and rash in late August; after medical reporting and testing, it was confirmed. Both individuals had not received the monkeypox vaccine.
The CDC noted that since monkeypox was classified as a Category 2 notifiable infectious disease in June 2022, a total of 546 cases have been confirmed (501 local and 45 imported), and epidemiological investigations reveal that most confirmed cases had engaged in unsafe sexual behavior, with nearly 80% not having received the monkeypox vaccine. Since the first imported Ib‑type case was identified in May of this year, a total of 10 Ib‑type infections have been recorded domestically (7 imported, 3 local). International data show that both Ib and II types can cause fever, lymphadenopathy, and vesicular rashes, but the Ib type tends to have a more widespread systemic rash. Moreover, Ib spreads more readily within households than II, and individuals with weakened immunity (e.g., young children, pregnant women, or those with chronic diseases) are more prone to severe outcomes. Overall, the symptoms of Ib and II are similar and their case‑fatality rates are comparable; severity is related to the patient’s immune status. The current monkeypox vaccine effectively prevents Ib‑type infection, and the antiviral Tecovirimat is also applicable for severe Ib‑type patients.
Regarding the international situation, the global monkeypox outbreak continues. From 2022 through July of this year, more than 190,000 confirmed cases and 529 deaths have been reported across 145 countries/regions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. In recent years, the threat of cross‑border transmission of the Clade 1b sub‑branch of the first monkeypox lineage has increased; since January 2024, 68 countries or regions have reported confirmed Ib cases, and in the past six weeks (July 6–August 16) 15 countries (nine in Europe and six in Africa) reported local community transmission of the Ib type. Madagascar has experienced the largest global Ib outbreak since December 2025. Because the Ib virus continues to spread across borders, the risk is assessed as moderate for groups engaging in risky behaviors, especially those without a regular sexual partner, while the transmission risk for the general public is low.
CDC statistics show that by the end of August this year, 111,908 people had received at least one dose of the monkeypox vaccine, of whom 80,033 had completed the two‑dose series, leaving 31,875 people (about 29%) still needing a second dose. The CDC reminds that the incubation period of monkeypox can be up to 21 days, and some cases can transmit the virus 1 to 4 days before symptom onset. Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, protecting against both Clade I and Clade II strains. A total of 318 partner medical institutions nationwide can provide publicly funded monkeypox vaccination services. Eligible individuals include those who have engaged in risky behaviors in the past year (e.g., multiple sexual partners, sex workers, sexual activity in commercial venues), those with a history of sexually transmitted infections, or those whose sexual partners fall into any of these categories; they should promptly complete the two‑dose publicly funded regimen. After two doses, protection against the monkeypox virus is about 90%; a single dose offers roughly 40%–80% protection, and vaccinated individuals who become infected tend to experience milder symptoms than unvaccinated persons. Information on publicly funded vaccination sites can be found on the CDC website under Monkeypox → Monkeypox Vaccine → Partner Medical Institutions for Vaccine Services ( https://gov.tw/3SG ). For those who do not meet the public‑funded eligibility but are assessed by a physician to have a genuine exposure risk, they may receive the vaccine at their own expense at any of the eight contracted travel medicine hospitals nationwide; related information is available on the CDC website under International Travel and Health → Travel Medicine Outpatient.
The CDC again urges the public, when traveling to epidemic areas or domestic high‑risk venues, to practice self‑protection and avoid social settings that may involve close contact with unspecified persons, and to monitor themselves and others for symptoms to reduce exposure risk. If skin lesions appear, such as rashes, blisters, macules, papules, pustules, etc., or if fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, or lymphadenopathy (e.g., around the ears, armpits, neck, or groin) occur, one should wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform the physician of travel history, exposure to risk venues, or relevant contacts. For more information, visit the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free domestic epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800‑001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Sensory Management Office
