The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) said today (the 15th) that on May 13, 2026, New Zealand, through the International Health Regulations (IHR) liaison channel, notified Taiwan that a New Zealand passenger who had boarded the international cruise ship “MV Hondius” in April this year was staying in Taiwan but had no related symptoms. The CDC immediately initiated tracing, assigned a quarantine physician to contact the passenger, and the health authorities arranged on the same day for the passenger to go to a hospital for testing and observation. Blood, urine, saliva, and nasopharyngeal specimens were tested; yesterday (the 14th) the test results showed that PCR for Andes hantavirus and serum IgM and IgG antibodies were all negative, temporarily ruling out infection.
The CDC explained that the passenger disembarked on Saint Helena on April 24, and the last exposure date with other passengers was April 25. He entered Taiwan on May 7 and stated that he has experienced no physical discomfort or health abnormalities to date. To respond prudently to this incident, the CDC, in addition to following professional guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), the EU CDC, the US CDC, etc., implemented preventive measures and held an expert consultation meeting today to discuss prevention and control measures related to the suspected Andes hantavirus infection case. Based on the experts' recommendations, considering that the passenger is a high‑risk contact, he has been placed in a single hospital room under the guidance of a medical team to undergo “enhanced self‑health management” until June 6 (the maximum incubation period of 42 days calculated from the last exposure date of April 25). He is required to measure his temperature daily for health monitoring, and to observe good respiratory and hand hygiene. We have notified the WHO of the passenger’s disposition through the IHR liaison, and have also proactively contacted New Zealand’s representative office in Taiwan to provide necessary assistance to the passenger. Subsequent plans include weekly regular testing until the enhanced self‑health management period ends.
The CDC emphasized that the passenger’s negative test results temporarily rule out infection, and that his subsequent enhanced self‑health management in the hospital poses no risk to the domestic community. The CDC will continue to cooperate with the WHO and the New Zealand government to properly handle all response measures for this passenger during his stay in Taiwan, and asks the public to remain assured.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Ganguan Office
