Malaria patient lands in Taiwan

TAIPEI, Feb. 1 (CNA) On Wednesday, Taiwan reported its first confirmed malaria case this year involving a Swiss man in his 50s who contracted the disease abroad, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). .

The man, who worked in the West African city of Côte d’Ivoire from late December to early January, was not taking antimalarial drugs, said CDC deputy director Chuang Jen-hsiang.

Chuang added that the man came to Taiwan on business on Jan. 9 and began experiencing both a headache and a fever that lasted several days after his arrival.

The man did not seek medical attention until January 17, when he was first thought to have COVID-19.

However, after continuing to exhibit symptoms despite testing negative for COVID-19, the man was admitted to another hospital for emergency treatment on January 19.

A blood test the next day confirmed that the man was infected with Plasmodium falciparum, and was discharged from the hospital after treatment, Chuang said.

A total of 14 malaria cases were recorded in Taiwan from 2019 to Wednesday, according to CDC data. All 14 cases were infected abroad.

Chuang said there were seven imported cases of malaria in 2019 before Taiwan imposed COVID-19 controls in March 2020, but two cases were reported each year in the three years that followed. rice field.

Symptoms of malaria are similar to those of the flu and usually appear 7 to 30 days after being bitten by a mosquito. The primary symptom of malaria is fever.

Severe cases can lead to splenomegaly, jaundice, shock, liver failure, renal failure, pulmonary edema, acute encephalopathy, and coma.

Chuan said people planning to visit malaria-endemic areas (including tropical and subtropical countries, especially parts of Africa) should undergo medical consultation in Taiwan at least a month before going abroad. said.

Chuan added that travelers to such countries should continue to take antimalarial medications before, during and after international travel, as directed by their doctor.