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Taiwan records imported case of valley fever
Central News Agency
2009-06-06 02:53 PM
Taipei, June 6 (CNA) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported Saturday Taiwan's first imported case of valley fever for the year, which involved a Taiwanese citizen returning recently from the United States, where the disease is endemic.
This was the third valley fever case ever recorded in Taiwan. The previous two cases, also imported, were recorded in 2005 and 1991, respectively, according to a statement issued by the CDC.
The latest case was a 30-year-old woman who was in the United States between July 1, 2008 and May 1, 2009. The infection was diagnosed June 3 through blood tests, the CDC said.
Valley fever is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a fungus commonly found in the soil of desert regions in the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America, the CDC said. People can be infected after inhaling the fungus spores in the air. The disease is not spread from person to person.
While many infected persons display no symptoms, some may develop fever, cough, chills, night sweats, headache, joint aches, chest pain, and a red spotty rash.
In some rare cases, the infection can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and even death.
(By Y.F. Low)
Taiwan records imported case of valley fever
Central News Agency
2009-06-06 02:53 PM
Taipei, June 6 (CNA) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported Saturday Taiwan's first imported case of valley fever for the year, which involved a Taiwanese citizen returning recently from the United States, where the disease is endemic.
This was the third valley fever case ever recorded in Taiwan. The previous two cases, also imported, were recorded in 2005 and 1991, respectively, according to a statement issued by the CDC.
The latest case was a 30-year-old woman who was in the United States between July 1, 2008 and May 1, 2009. The infection was diagnosed June 3 through blood tests, the CDC said.
Valley fever is caused by Coccidioides immitis, a fungus commonly found in the soil of desert regions in the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America, the CDC said. People can be infected after inhaling the fungus spores in the air. The disease is not spread from person to person.
While many infected persons display no symptoms, some may develop fever, cough, chills, night sweats, headache, joint aches, chest pain, and a red spotty rash.
In some rare cases, the infection can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, and even death.
(By Y.F. Low)