Taipei: Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Wednesday reported two new cases of Mpox involving the clade Ib strain, marking the first domestic cases of this variant, which is believed to be more transmissible and more easily spread through close physical or intimate contact. Both patients were men in their 30s who had not been vaccinated and had engaged in high-risk sexual behavior with unspecified partners. However, the sources of their infections remain unclear, CDC spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng told reporters.
According to Focus Taiwan, the first patient sought medical attention in late July after developing symptoms such as a fever, rashes, and pustules on his abdomen and groin. He tested positive for Mpox after his doctor suspected the disease. The second patient sought treatment in early August after experiencing rashes on his trunk and legs, followed by fever and muscle soreness. He also tested positive after his doctor conducted testing for Mpox.
As of August 23, Taiwan had recorded a total of 28 Mpox cases, consisting of 19 domestic and nine imported cases. This figure was lower compared to 48 cases reported in 2024 and 31 in 2025 during the same period. Since Taiwan recorded its first imported case in May 2026, a total of nine cases have been identified as the clade Ib strain, including the two newly reported domestic cases.
The CDC highlighted that global experience shows individuals infected with either clade Ib or clade II may develop symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, and blisters. Clade Ib is more easily transmitted within households, and people with weakened immune systems, such as children, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses, are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms.
The agency noted that many people who contracted Mpox engaged in high-risk sexual behavior, with nearly 90 percent not having been vaccinated. Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to prevent Mpox, including infection with both clade Ib and clade II strains. Publicly funded vaccines are available for those who have engaged in high-risk sexual behavior in the past year, been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease, or had sexual contact with individuals in either of those categories.