The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday reported 20 new cases of mpox — 17 local and three imported — the highest weekly number to date.
Sixteen of the new cases live in northern Taiwan, three in southern Taiwan and one in central Taiwan, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said.
They developed symptoms, including a fever, swollen lymph nodes, blisters and pustules, between April 15 and Friday.
Photo: Wu Liang-yi, Taipei Times
The new cases mark the highest weekly number since the disease was listed as a notifiable communicable disease in June last year.
Guo said a total of 111 cases have so far been confirmed in Taiwan, adding that the virus continues to spread locally.
Of the 111 cases, 98 were local and 13 were imported. Fifty-three of the total have recovered, 10 were hospitalized for treatment, and 48 have been placed under self-health management at home, CDC data show.
CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧), who is also the centers’ spokeswoman, said people who are eligible for the mpox vaccine are advised to book a vaccine appointment with one of the 82 contracted hospitals across the nation.
Those who have received a first dose can get a second dose four weeks later, Tseng said.
Separately, the CDC said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level two “alert” travel notice — urging people to practice enhanced precautions — for undergoing surgery in Matamoros, Mexico, after some US citizens were diagnosed with fungal meningitis that led to severe illness or death after returning from the city.
The US CDC said the people had undergone medical or surgical procedures that involved epidural anesthesia at clinics in Matamoros, including the River Side Surgical Center and Clinica K-3, adding that fungal meningitis is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person.
It suggested that people cancel any procedure that involves epidural anesthesia in Matamoros until there is evidence that there is no longer a risk of infection at the clinics.
People who had the procedure since Jan. 1 should monitor themselves for symptoms, it added.
The CDC in Taiwan said surgical site infections might cause serious illness, disability or death.
It urged healthcare facilities and the public to pay attention to surgical safety, including aseptic measures, anesthesia care, safe injection practices and other infection control measures, to prevent and reduce the risk of infections following surgical procedures.
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