TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control confirmed a new case of toxoplasmosis at a regularly scheduled press conference on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Taiwan this year to six.
The patient is a woman in her 30s from southern Taiwan with no recent travel history. She sought medical treatment after discovering a cyst on the left side of her neck in mid-April, which was later surgically removed, per a press release.
Health authorities said the case was unusual because the woman neither owns a cat nor regularly comes into contact with felines, which are associated with transmission of the disease. The finding led health authorities to remind the public to avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods and to maintain proper food and hand hygiene.
To reduce the risk of infection, health officials recommend cooking meat to at least 66 C and avoiding tasting meat before it is fully cooked. Pregnant women are advised to avoid contact with cats of unknown origin.
According to CDC data, toxoplasmosis occurs year-round across Taiwan. Locally transmitted cases involve patients ranging in age from their 30s to their 60s, with the cumulative total remaining below the seven to 17 cases reported during the same period between 2022 and 2025.
Health officials noted that toxoplasmosis is classified as a Category IV notifiable infectious disease. It is caused by a parasite with cats serving as the primary host, with humans becoming infected through contaminated food or water or by consuming undercooked meat containing parasitic cysts.
The incubation period ranges from 10 to 23 days. Most healthy individuals experience no symptoms, although some acute infections can cause swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, weakness, and moderate fever between 38 and 38.5 C.
Health authorities warned that infection during pregnancy can be transmitted to a fetus through the placenta, potentially resulting in miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital abnormalities. Infants born with congenital toxoplasmosis may later develop vision problems, learning disabilities, or developmental delays, per the report
People with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness due to reactivation of dormant infections. The brain is the organ most commonly affected, and infections can lead to brain abscesses, seizures, motor impairments, and speech disorders.
Pet owners should feed cats dry food, canned food, or thoroughly cooked food and prevent them from hunting or roaming outdoors. Health authorities also recommend thoroughly washing hands, cutting boards, knives, and dishes that come into contact with raw meat.
People should wear gloves when gardening or handling soil that may be contaminated with cat feces and wash their hands thoroughly afterward. Additional information about toxoplasmosis is available on the website.
