TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan announced four new mpox cases were recorded between Aug. 13–19, affecting individuals in their 20s to 40s.
At a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) press conference on Tuesday (Aug. 20), CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) said none of the reported cases had received the mpox vaccine, and each case had symptoms such as rash, blisters, and pustules.
Since the outbreak of the virus last year, Taiwan has reported 403 mpox cases (381 local and 22 imported) as of Monday (Aug. 19), according to a CDC press release.
CDC Deputy Director Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said the number of mpox vaccinations increased by 30% last week, while the virus has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest global health alert.
According to the CDC, as of Sunday (Aug. 18), 81,857 people in Taiwan have received the mpox vaccine, though 28,114 people have not completed their second vaccination dose. The CDC said that 14 days after the first dose, the protection is only about 40–80%, and after completing the second dose, protection against mpox can be as high as 90%.
In Africa, mpox has increased significantly since May with the outbreak of a new variant that is more transmissible. The CDC said the new variant is particularly risky for young children, pregnant women, and people with low immune function.
The CDC reminds the public that travel to high-risk countries or areas should be avoided. If travel is necessary, it is recommended to avoid close contact with strangers as well as the consumption of wild animals.
If skin lesions occur, such as rashes, blisters, and pustules, along with fever and chills, one should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The public is also encouraged to inform doctors of their travel history and contact history.
