The second confirmed case of hantavirus syndrome this year has been discharged from the hospital. To prevent hantavirus, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control urges the public to follow the “Three No’s” principle: “Do not let rodents come, do not let rodents stay, and do not let rodents eat.”
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as the CDC) stated that as of now in 2026, there have been a total of two confirmed cases of hantavirus syndrome, the same number as during the same period in the past four years.
In addition to a previously announced case in January involving a man in his 70s in Taipei City, the other case this year is from New Taipei City. The patient, a man in his 70s with a history of chronic conditions including diabetes, began experiencing symptoms in mid-March, including fever with chills, sore throat, generalized muscle aches, decreased urine output, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. He later sought treatment at a hospital emergency department, where he was reported and tested, and subsequently confirmed to have hantavirus syndrome. After treatment, he was discharged on March 30. He had no known history of contact with rodents, and no rodents were captured near his residence; the source of infection is still under investigation.
The CDC noted that hantavirus syndrome is a zoonotic disease, with rodents serving as the natural reservoir in the environment. Humans can become infected by inhaling or coming into contact with dust or objects contaminated by the excreta or secretions (including feces, urine, and saliva) of infected rodents, or by being bitten by infected rodents.
According to CDC statistics, there have been two confirmed domestic cases of hantavirus syndrome in 2026 so far, consistent with the same period over the past four years (2022–2025). Since 2017, there have been a cumulative total of 45 cases, with males accounting for 30 cases (67%), and individuals aged 40 and above also accounting for 30 cases (67%). Among these, one case was imported, with the infection acquired in Indonesia.
In response to locations where cases have occurred, the CDC has instructed the health and environmental protection bureaus of Taipei City and New Taipei City to collaborate on strengthening environmental cleaning in areas where the cases were active. Measures include rodent trapping and extermination, implementation of rodent prevention tools (such as glue traps, snap traps, and cage traps), removal of rodent carcasses and droppings, and environmental disinfection. The Ministry of Environment has also directed local environmental protection bureaus to enhance routine rodent prevention and control efforts.
The CDC urges the public that the most effective way to prevent hantavirus is to follow the “Three No’s” principle: “Do not let rodents come, do not let rodents stay, and do not let rodents eat.” People should remain vigilant about possible entry points for rodents, properly manage kitchen waste and animal feed, and maintain environmental cleanliness at all times. Areas such as alleyways, drainage systems (sewers and ditch covers), cluttered spaces, and walls are common hotspots for rodent activity and should be prioritized for trapping and extermination efforts.
If rodent droppings are found, individuals should first wear a mask and rubber gloves, open windows and doors for ventilation, and disinfect the contaminated area using a 1:9 diluted household bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). Allow the disinfectant to sit for 5 minutes before cleaning. For more information, please visit the CDC website or call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline at 1922 (or 0800-001922).