TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署) announced on Tuesday (Jan. 14) that the nation recorded 194 cluster diarrhea cases in the past four weeks, with norovirus as the predominant pathogen. Officials urge the public to maintain hand hygiene and food safety to curb the spread of gastroenteritis.
Health authorities in Taiwan have reported a significant increase in diarrhea-related medical visits, marking the highest figures in five years. announced that in the past four weeks. The majority of cluster infections occurred in the food and hospitality sectors, with 92 cases testing positive for pathogens, predominantly norovirus, which accounted for 95.7% of these cases.
The CDC's data revealed that during the second week of January, 169,747 people sought medical attention for diarrhea, a 13.6% increase from the previous week's 149,477 cases. This surge aligns with the highest numbers observed over the past five years.
The CDC explained that norovirus, known for its high transmissibility, has an incubation period of 10 to 50 hours. Bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus have also been detected, with incubation periods ranging from a few hours to five days. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever, lasting from one to 10 days. Vulnerable groups, such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe symptoms.
