Epidemic meningitis claims life of woman in central Taiwan

Taipei, May 26 (CNA) A woman in her 60s from central Taiwan has died from epidemic meningitis one day after the onset of symptoms, marking the country's first fatal case of epidemic meningitis this year, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday.

The woman, who had a history of hypertension and no recent overseas travel, developed fever, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, chills, and general weakness on May 7, and was admitted to a hospital the following day, where she suffered cyanosis and respiratory failure and died later that day.

Reporting the case at a regular briefing, CDC epidemiologist Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said the woman was infected with meningococcal bacteria type B (serogroup B), which affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, causing meningitis.

The deceased had hypertension and no history of overseas travel, Lin noted.

The disease is mainly spread via close contact with bacteria in the throat and nose or via respiratory droplets, Lin said.

Although serogroup B is not as transmissible as influenza, it can cause infected patients to deteriorate rapidly, even leading to death within a few hours, Lin added.

The symptoms of the disease can easily be mistaken for those of the flu, Lin observed, urging high‑risk individuals with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems to seek hospital care immediately if such symptoms develop.

The CDC monitored about 20 people who had close contact with the woman at home and in the hospital until May 18, given the disease's incubation period of two to 10 days, and as of Tuesday no suspected cases had been identified, according to the CDC.