Taiwan reports highest weekly Mpox cases so far this year
July 1, 2025
Taiwan is witnessing its highest weekly count of locally transmitted mpox cases this year, with four new infections confirmed between June 24 and July 1, all involving men in their 30s. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control attributes these cases to intimate contact through dating apps, complicating contact tracing. With only 68,193 individuals having completed the two-dose mpox vaccine regimen, public health officials urge full vaccination, especially amid the summer transmission peak. As clade IIb continues to circulate globally, Taiwan’s experience reinforces the need for robust prevention strategies, targeted outreach to at-risk groups, and real-time surveillance to prevent further spread.
Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed four new locally transmitted mpox cases—the highest weekly total of 2025—raising renewed concern about virus transmission among at-risk populations. All four cases involve men in their 30s from Taipei, New Taipei, and Tainan, who developed symptoms between June 17 and 23 after engaging in intimate contact with anonymous partners via dating apps. This growing pattern complicates contact tracing and underscores the need for targeted sexual health outreach and community engagement.
Mpox, a zoonotic disease with two known clades, continues to pose a serious public health risk globally. Clade I has a fatality rate nearing 10%, while clade II, more prevalent in recent outbreaks, carries a lower but still significant mortality rate of around 1%. Clade IIb, a subvariant associated with current transmission chains, poses heightened risks for immunocompromised individuals and children, particularly due to potential complications like bacterial infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.
Taiwan’s CDC has confirmed that three of the four recent patients were unvaccinated. As of June 30, nearly 100,000 people in Taiwan have received at least one dose of the mpox vaccine, but only 68,193 have completed the two-dose regimen required for full protection. Health authorities urge eligible individuals, particularly those in high-risk groups, to complete their vaccination series as summer represents a peak period for mpox transmission.
Since the beginning of 2025, Taiwan has reported 13 local and three imported mpox cases. This localized uptick is a reminder that mpox, though overshadowed by other global health concerns, remains an evolving threat. Taiwan’s response—grounded in vaccination, public education, and surveillance—will be critical to preventing wider transmission and ensuring rapid containment of potential clusters.