Online Rumors of 'Hantavirus National Team' Formation; CDC: False Information
Taiwan's CDC has warned that online rumors about the formation of a 'Hantavirus Epidemic Prevention National Team' and the development of vaccines and rapid tests, implying a surge in related concept stocks, are false information and a typical investment scam, mostly originating from abroad.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 13:52
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 14:02 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 06:51 (40h 49m after Collected)
Media Literacy Feature Report (Total 125 articles)
Central News Agency
How to discern the authenticity and credibility of information, while also evaluating the stance and context of reports, has become the most significant challenge for contemporary audiences and media. Central News Agency's "Media Literacy" news category compiles news related to fact-checking and media literacy, hoping to contribute to providing accurate information in its role as a media outlet.
(Central News Agency reporter Zeng Yining, Taipei, May 12) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated today that recent online platforms have circulated information about the government establishing a "Hantavirus Epidemic Prevention National Team" which will invest in vaccine and rapid test kit development, implying that specific concept stocks will rise. This is false information, and most posts originate from outside Taiwan. People should not easily believe it to avoid being defrauded.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a press release today stating that recent online rumors and graphic cards about a so-called "Hantavirus Epidemic Prevention National Team" claim the government will launch vaccine and rapid test development plans and imply that related concept stocks will rise. The content also misused the names and logos of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Research Institutes, all of which are unauthorized uses, and the content is false information.
The CDC reminds the public that such posts use tactics like "insider information" and "concept stocks" to induce people to private message or join investment groups, which are typical investment scams, and even involve fraud in the name of the government. Please do not easily believe them.
The CDC stated that after monitoring related information from May 10 to 11, it reported to the Ministry of Digital Affairs' "Online Fraud Reporting and Inquiry Network." The Financial Supervisory Commission quickly identified it as fraudulent information and notified social platforms to take it down. The Taiwan FactCheck Center has separately verified with the CDC and the National Health Research Institutes that no such epidemic prevention national team has been established, nor is there any research and development or production of vaccines and test kits.
The CDC pointed out that Hantavirus is a disease term used in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Investigations show that many accounts spreading this fraudulent information are located outside Taiwan, and their posting patterns are highly consistent, showing clear abnormal operation characteristics. The public should not easily believe online claims of "insider information" and invitations to private message or join investment groups, nor should they click on links or provide personal information to avoid being deceived.
The CDC reminds the public that if they see suspected fraudulent messages online, they can immediately inquire about and report suspicious information through the Ministry of Digital Affairs' "Online Fraud Reporting and Inquiry Network" (https://fraudbuster.digiat.org.tw/accessibility/) to collectively prevent the spread of online fraud. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Central News Agency
How to discern the authenticity and credibility of information, while also evaluating the stance and context of reports, has become the most significant challenge for contemporary audiences and media. Central News Agency's "Media Literacy" news category compiles news related to fact-checking and media literacy, hoping to contribute to providing accurate information in its role as a media outlet.
(Central News Agency reporter Zeng Yining, Taipei, May 12) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated today that recent online platforms have circulated information about the government establishing a "Hantavirus Epidemic Prevention National Team" which will invest in vaccine and rapid test kit development, implying that specific concept stocks will rise. This is false information, and most posts originate from outside Taiwan. People should not easily believe it to avoid being defrauded.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a press release today stating that recent online rumors and graphic cards about a so-called "Hantavirus Epidemic Prevention National Team" claim the government will launch vaccine and rapid test development plans and imply that related concept stocks will rise. The content also misused the names and logos of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Research Institutes, all of which are unauthorized uses, and the content is false information.
The CDC reminds the public that such posts use tactics like "insider information" and "concept stocks" to induce people to private message or join investment groups, which are typical investment scams, and even involve fraud in the name of the government. Please do not easily believe them.
The CDC stated that after monitoring related information from May 10 to 11, it reported to the Ministry of Digital Affairs' "Online Fraud Reporting and Inquiry Network." The Financial Supervisory Commission quickly identified it as fraudulent information and notified social platforms to take it down. The Taiwan FactCheck Center has separately verified with the CDC and the National Health Research Institutes that no such epidemic prevention national team has been established, nor is there any research and development or production of vaccines and test kits.
The CDC pointed out that Hantavirus is a disease term used in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Investigations show that many accounts spreading this fraudulent information are located outside Taiwan, and their posting patterns are highly consistent, showing clear abnormal operation characteristics. The public should not easily believe online claims of "insider information" and invitations to private message or join investment groups, nor should they click on links or provide personal information to avoid being deceived.
The CDC reminds the public that if they see suspected fraudulent messages online, they can immediately inquire about and report suspicious information through the Ministry of Digital Affairs' "Online Fraud Reporting and Inquiry Network" (https://fraudbuster.digiat.org.tw/accessibility/) to collectively prevent the spread of online fraud. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.