The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan have confirmed the first malaria fatality in 18 years, marking a rare incident.
A Taiwanese businessman in his 50s, who recently visited Nigeria, succumbed to malaria earlier this month.
According to CDC Deputy Director-General Lo Yi-chun, the individual who returned from Nigeria in late November did not take malaria prevention medication.
Shortly after arriving in Taiwan, he began experiencing symptoms, including fever and chills, consistent with malaria.
Yi-Chun said despite initial suspicion of septicemia and subsequent testing for dengue fever and influenza, the man’s symptoms persisted, presenting characteristics associated with thrombocytopenia, liver issues, and jaundice.
Dr. Lin Yung-ching from the CDC revealed that malaria was later confirmed after carefully considering the patient’s travel history.
He said tests confirmed the presence of Plasmodium falciparum, the most lethal malaria parasite, in addition to complications involving brain disease.
He added that treatment for malaria was administered; however, the patient’s health deteriorated rapidly, leading to multiple organ failure, hydrocephalus, and septic shock, ultimately resulting in his death six days after the onset of symptoms.
Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin of the Central Epidemic Command Center emphasized that malaria spreads through infected mosquito bites and exhibits symptoms within seven to 30 days. She highlighted early symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, and fatigue.
Lo Yi-chun further noted that the fatality rate for cerebral malaria without timely treatment could reach 100 per cent, while with treatment, it remains at 15-20 per cent.
Taiwan has reported five malaria cases this year, all imported, involving individuals aged 20-50.
Four cases were foreign nationals, and one was Taiwanese from Nigeria, India, Ethiopia, and Ivory Coast.
