Taiwan reports 1st locally acquired typhoid case of 2023 - Focus Taiwan
Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Taiwan has confirmed its first locally acquired typhoid fever case of 2023, diagnosed in a patient who recently traveled to one of the country's outlying islands, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Wednesday.
The patient is a northern Taiwan resident in his 30s, who tested positive for the disease on Aug. 21, the CDC said in a statement.
According to the CDC, the man developed symptoms such as a fever, headaches and diarrhea on July 11, and despite some improvements after medical treatment, his condition worsened on Aug. 12 and was hospitalized seven days later.
Although it remains unclear where the man picked up the disease, it is likely that he contracted the bacteria in late June during a family trip to an outlying island, where he consumed raw seafood, the CDC said.
None of his eight travel companions has shown suspected symptoms so far, the CDC said, adding that related tests are ongoing.
Taiwan has accumulated six typhoid cases as of Aug. 23 this year, five of which were imported, mostly from Indonesia, CDC data showed.
The number of domestic cases to date in 2023 was at a similar level compared with the same period in recent years, which was four, two, one and one since 2019, it said.
Meanwhile, the number of imported cases since 2019 was 13, three, zero and one, according to the agency.
The CDC said typhoid is a bacterial infection that enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract, with symptoms usually beginning eight to 14 days following exposure, manifesting in constant fever, diarrhea, headaches, abdominal pain and coughing.
The CDC urged the public to refrain from eating uncooked food or drinking untreated water in areas where typhoid is endemic.
Visitors should also wash their hands thoroughly before eating and consider getting vaccinated against typhoid if they plan to travel frequently to such areas.
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