The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) today (the 30th) announced the country's first case of hantavirus syndrome this year. The case is a man in his 70s from the north, with a history of chronic illness, no overseas travel during the incubation period, who developed respiratory distress, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms in early January and sought emergency care; the next day, due to worsening symptoms, he returned to the emergency department, was admitted to the intensive care unit but his condition did not improve, and on January 13 he died from sepsis with multiple organ failure. The case was reported and laboratory‑confirmed as hantavirus syndrome. The patient's primary activity location was his home, and family members reported mouse activity and signs in the house. Local health units have tested cohabitants, whose serum tests were negative, and have conducted various investigations and health‑education and prevention work. Environmental protection units went to the area around the patient's home and activity sites to conduct rodent trapping, capturing a total of four mice, of which two mice captured near the home tested positive for hantavirus antibodies.
The CDC states that hantavirus syndrome is a zoonotic disease; its natural reservoir hosts are rodents and other gnawing animals. Humans are at risk of infection by inhaling or contacting dust or objects contaminated with excreta or secretions (including feces, urine, saliva) from hantavirus‑carrying rodents, or by being bitten by infected rodents.
The CDC reports that domestically, the cumulative total for 2026 is one confirmed case of hantavirus syndrome, a number comparable to the 0 or 1 cases recorded in the same period over the past four years (2022‑2025); since 2017, a total of 44 cases have been recorded, with males accounting for 29 cases (66%) and individuals aged over 40 accounting for 29 cases (66%). One case was imported from abroad (the infection country was Indonesia).
The CDC urges that implementing “no mice entry, no mice residence, no mice feeding” is the most effective way to prevent hantavirus. The public should regularly monitor potential mouse entry routes in the environment, properly dispose of kitchen waste and animal feed at home, and maintain continuous environmental cleaning. Fire lanes, drainage facilities (sewers, manhole covers), debris piles, and walls are hotspots for rodent activity; targeted rodent trapping and control measures should be strengthened in these specific areas. If rodent excreta are found, one should first wear a mask and rubber gloves, open doors and windows, and spray a diluted bleach solution (100 cc commercial bleach + 1 liter water) onto the potentially contaminated area, waiting 30 minutes for disinfection before cleaning. Additionally, to prevent the virus from becoming airborne, use disposable paper towels, rags, or old newspapers to clean up waste, then seal them in a garbage bag before discarding. For more information, please visit the CDC’s global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800‑001922).
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Surveillance Office
