The Centers for Disease Control (hereinafter referred to as CDC) stated that, up to now this year (115), there have been a total of 2 cases of hantavirus syndrome, the same number as the same period in the past four years. Apart from the 70‑plus‑year‑old male in Taipei City that was announced in January this year, the other domestic case this year is in New Taipei City, a man in his 70s with a history of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Starting in mid‑March, he gradually developed fever with chills, sore throat and whole‑body muscle aches, reduced urine output, diarrhea and loss of appetite, and sought emergency care at a hospital. The hospital reported and tested, confirming hantavirus syndrome, and after treatment he was discharged on March 30. There is no history of mouse contact, and no mice were captured near his residence; the source of infection is under investigation.
The CDC says that hantavirus syndrome is a zoonotic infectious disease; its natural reservoir hosts are rodents and other gnawing animals. Humans can become infected 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 virus‑carrying rodents.
The CDC's statistics show that domestically, this year (2026) there have been a cumulative 2 confirmed cases of hantavirus syndrome, the same number as the same period in the past four years (2022‑2025); since 2017, a total of 45 cases have been recorded, with males accounting for 30 cases (67%) and those aged over 40 accounting for 30 cases (67%). One case was imported from abroad (the country of infection was Indonesia).
Regarding the locations where cases occurred, the CDC has directed the health bureaus of Taipei City and New Taipei City, together with the environmental protection bureaus, to strengthen environmental cleaning at the sites of the cases, conduct rodent trapping and extermination, and implement rodent‑prevention measures (glue boards, traps, and cages), as well as clean up rodent carcasses and excreta and carry out disinfection and related control measures. The Ministry of Environment has also instructed county and city environmental protection bureaus to strengthen routine rodent prevention and extermination work.
The CDC urges that implementing the “three‑no” principle—no allowing mice to come, no allowing mice to stay, no allowing mice to eat—is the most effective way to prevent hantavirus. The public should regularly pay attention to possible mouse entry routes, properly handle kitchen waste or animal feed at home, and keep the environment clean at all times. Fire‑prevention alleys, drainage facilities (sewers, manhole covers), junk piles, and walls are hotspots for rodent activity; please strengthen rodent trapping and extermination in these specific areas. If rodent excreta are found, first wear a mask and rubber gloves and open doors and windows, then spray a 1:9 dilution of commercially available bleach (one part bleach to nine parts water) onto the potentially contaminated area, wait five minutes for disinfection, and then clean. For related 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) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Compiled by: Epidemiology Management Office
