Will HIV Contacts Face Mandatory Testing? Shih Chong-liang: No Legal Amendment Planned for Now

Taipei, June 16 (Central News Agency reporter Shen Pei-yao) — The case of an HIV-positive school bus driver in central Taiwan involved in a sexual assault has sparked debate over whether laws should be amended to allow mandatory testing for contacts. Health and Welfare Minister Shih Chong-liang expressed his stance today, stating that during the original legislation, extensive discussions were held, and mandatory testing could hinder epidemiological investigations. Unless new considerations arise, additional regulations will not be introduced.

The HIV-positive school bus driver from central Taiwan is involved in a case of violating sexual autonomy. So far, five confirmed infections have been linked to this case, with the transmission chain spreading across three counties and cities. Public scrutiny has intensified over the fact that the driver was previously identified as a contact of another case years ago but was not subjected to mandatory testing, raising questions about potential legal reforms.

Shih Chong-liang spoke to the media before attending a press conference titled 'Ensuring Access and Coordination for Difficult-to-Treat Pediatric Medications—Optimizing Children’s Healthcare in 2026.' He emphasized that the Ministry of Health and Welfare currently has no plans to amend the law.

During the drafting of the 'Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infectious Disease Prevention and Protection of Rights of the Infected Act,' Shih explained, there was broad discussion on whether public authorities should be granted the power to conduct mandatory testing. Ultimately, only a few specific circumstances were exempted from requiring informed consent for testing—mainly to avoid creating an obligation for mandatory testing upon reporting, which could lead to concealment during epidemiological investigations.

Under current regulations, testing without the individual’s consent is permitted only in limited cases: when collecting blood for transfusion to others, manufacturing blood products, or performing organ, tissue, bodily fluid, or cell transplants. In all other situations—including when individuals are listed by health authorities as contacts of confirmed HIV cases—testing requires prior consent and counseling.

Shih emphasized that unlike airborne or droplet-transmitted diseases, HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, and contacts are specific individuals who 'can be traced.' Unless there is a significant need, HIV prevention in recent years has been relatively successful, with declining infection numbers, so the current regulations will remain in place for now.

However, Shih acknowledged that even without mandatory testing, individuals who are contacts should have a certain level of awareness. The focus should now be on strengthening the requirement that patients 'must not conceal' their status during medical visits, to ensure proper preventive measures are taken during treatment.

Shih noted that local health authorities acted promptly in this case. Upon discovering that two newly infected individuals shared a common contact, they immediately reported it for epidemiological investigation, which revealed cross-county transmission. The Centers for Disease Control quickly formed a task force with relevant counties and cities to jointly investigate. The investigation has been completed, but due to legal restrictions, there has been no proactive public announcement. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150616