Keelung Hantavirus Case Identified as Seoul Virus, No Human-to-Human Transmission: Taiwan CDC
Taiwan has confirmed a new domestic case of Hantavirus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on the 19th that genetic sequencing identified the pathogen as the Seoul virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The virus has a fatality rate of about 5% to 15% and has no reported human-to-human transmission, distinguishing it from the Andes virus associated with the 'Hantavirus cruise ship.' This is the third confirmed case of Hantavirus syndrome in Taiwan this year. The patient is recovering after treatment.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 17:28
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Taiwan has reported a new domestic case of Hantavirus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated today (the 19th) that genetic sequencing has identified the virus as the Seoul virus, which causes Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. It has a fatality rate of about 5% to 15% and has no reported human-to-human transmission, distinguishing it from the Andes virus linked to the "Hantavirus cruise ship."
Since the beginning of this year, Hantavirus syndrome cases have appeared successively in Taipei and New Taipei. A case also occurred in Keelung where a New Taipei City resident was bitten by a rat at work and was subsequently diagnosed with Hantavirus. There have been a total of three confirmed cases of Hantavirus syndrome this year.
## Hantavirus
Hantavirus belongs to the Bunyaviridae family. Through genetic sequencing and serological testing, more than 20 different types of Hantavirus have been identified, each distributed in different geographical regions with its own unique rodent host.
### Transmission Route
Infection occurs through respiratory inhalation of droplets from rodent secretions. The virus is present in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected but asymptomatic rodents, with high concentrations found in their lungs. Humans can become infected by inhaling or coming into contact with airborne particles or pollutants contaminated with the virus, or by being bitten by an infected rodent.
Currently, human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, caused by the Andes virus, has only been found in Argentina and Chile, possibly related to prolonged or close contact with symptomatic individuals. For other Hantavirus types, there are still no reported cases of human-to-human transmission.
### Symptoms
**Hantavirus Hemorrhagic Fever:** The three main clinical features are fever, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. It usually begins with a sudden fever lasting 3 to 8 days, accompanied by conjunctival congestion, weakness, back pain, headache, abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting. Hemorrhagic symptoms appear on the 3rd to 6th day and may progress to acute renal failure lasting several weeks.
**Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:** Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, and severe muscle pain, accompanied by headache and stomach discomfort. Symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath usually appear 4 to 10 days after onset. Once cardiac and pulmonary symptoms develop, respiratory failure and shock can occur rapidly.
### Prevention Methods
Strengthen rodent control. Environmental cleaning should be enhanced in residences and all public places, including restaurants, hotels, food stalls, markets, and food factories, to expel rodents from buildings and implement rat-proofing measures. Once signs of rats are found, extermination efforts should begin immediately.
Source: Taiwan CDC
Lin Yung-ching emphasized, "There have been no reports of human-to-human transmission of the Seoul virus to date." The internationally estimated fatality rate is about 5% to 15%, which differs from the Andes virus, whose rate can be as high as 30% to 50%.
Lin Yung-ching explained that the new case is a man in his 40s from northern Taiwan with no recent domestic or international travel history and no chronic diseases. On April 7, he was bitten by a rat at work and went to the emergency room for wound cleaning and a tetanus shot. On May 2, he began experiencing fever, chills, and weakness and sought medical attention at a clinic. As his symptoms did not improve, he went to a hospital emergency room, was admitted, and was later confirmed through reporting and testing to have Hantavirus syndrome. His condition improved with treatment, and he is expected to be discharged today.
A total of 11 contacts, including cohabitants and workplace colleagues, have no suspected symptoms. Lin stated that health authorities have initiated health monitoring of contacts, epidemiological investigations, and health education, and have also gone to the patient's home and workplace to conduct rodent trapping.
Lin reminds the public to take appropriate personal protective measures when cleaning inside and outside the home. If rodent droppings are found, wear a mask, plastic or rubber gloves, open doors and windows, and spray diluted bleach on potentially contaminated areas, waiting 5 minutes for disinfection before cleaning. To prevent the virus from becoming airborne and causing transmission, use disposable paper towels, rags, or old newspapers to clean up the waste, then seal it in a garbage bag before disposal.
Kuo Hung-wei, director of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Center, reported that the number of cases so far this year is comparable to the 2 to 3 cases seen during the same period over the past four years (2022 to 2025). Since 2017, there has been a cumulative total of 46 cases, with more males (31 cases, 67.4%) and individuals aged 40 and over (31 cases, 67.4%).
Kuo stated that Hantavirus syndrome is a zoonotic disease, with rodents being the natural hosts. Humans are at risk of infection if they inhale or come into contact with dust or objects contaminated with the excretions or secretions (including feces, urine, and saliva) of Hantavirus-carrying rodents, or if they are bitten by an infected rodent.
Following a Hantavirus outbreak on an international cruise ship and the rise of domestic cases to three, there is heightened public concern about changes in the rodent positivity rate in Taiwan. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui stated that the CDC currently conducts quarterly monitoring at major international airports and ports, trapping rats and testing for Hantavirus. The positivity rate has remained stable at 3% to 5% for many years, with no abnormal fluctuations.
The CDC urges that implementing the principles of "keep rats out, leave no place for rats to live, and leave no food for rats" is the most effective way to prevent Hantavirus. The public should pay attention to potential rodent entry points in their environment, properly manage kitchen waste and pet food, and maintain a clean environment at all times.
Since the beginning of this year, Hantavirus syndrome cases have appeared successively in Taipei and New Taipei. A case also occurred in Keelung where a New Taipei City resident was bitten by a rat at work and was subsequently diagnosed with Hantavirus. There have been a total of three confirmed cases of Hantavirus syndrome this year.
## Hantavirus
Hantavirus belongs to the Bunyaviridae family. Through genetic sequencing and serological testing, more than 20 different types of Hantavirus have been identified, each distributed in different geographical regions with its own unique rodent host.
### Transmission Route
Infection occurs through respiratory inhalation of droplets from rodent secretions. The virus is present in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected but asymptomatic rodents, with high concentrations found in their lungs. Humans can become infected by inhaling or coming into contact with airborne particles or pollutants contaminated with the virus, or by being bitten by an infected rodent.
Currently, human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, caused by the Andes virus, has only been found in Argentina and Chile, possibly related to prolonged or close contact with symptomatic individuals. For other Hantavirus types, there are still no reported cases of human-to-human transmission.
### Symptoms
**Hantavirus Hemorrhagic Fever:** The three main clinical features are fever, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. It usually begins with a sudden fever lasting 3 to 8 days, accompanied by conjunctival congestion, weakness, back pain, headache, abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting. Hemorrhagic symptoms appear on the 3rd to 6th day and may progress to acute renal failure lasting several weeks.
**Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome:** Early symptoms include fever, fatigue, and severe muscle pain, accompanied by headache and stomach discomfort. Symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath usually appear 4 to 10 days after onset. Once cardiac and pulmonary symptoms develop, respiratory failure and shock can occur rapidly.
### Prevention Methods
Strengthen rodent control. Environmental cleaning should be enhanced in residences and all public places, including restaurants, hotels, food stalls, markets, and food factories, to expel rodents from buildings and implement rat-proofing measures. Once signs of rats are found, extermination efforts should begin immediately.
Source: Taiwan CDC
Lin Yung-ching emphasized, "There have been no reports of human-to-human transmission of the Seoul virus to date." The internationally estimated fatality rate is about 5% to 15%, which differs from the Andes virus, whose rate can be as high as 30% to 50%.
Lin Yung-ching explained that the new case is a man in his 40s from northern Taiwan with no recent domestic or international travel history and no chronic diseases. On April 7, he was bitten by a rat at work and went to the emergency room for wound cleaning and a tetanus shot. On May 2, he began experiencing fever, chills, and weakness and sought medical attention at a clinic. As his symptoms did not improve, he went to a hospital emergency room, was admitted, and was later confirmed through reporting and testing to have Hantavirus syndrome. His condition improved with treatment, and he is expected to be discharged today.
A total of 11 contacts, including cohabitants and workplace colleagues, have no suspected symptoms. Lin stated that health authorities have initiated health monitoring of contacts, epidemiological investigations, and health education, and have also gone to the patient's home and workplace to conduct rodent trapping.
Lin reminds the public to take appropriate personal protective measures when cleaning inside and outside the home. If rodent droppings are found, wear a mask, plastic or rubber gloves, open doors and windows, and spray diluted bleach on potentially contaminated areas, waiting 5 minutes for disinfection before cleaning. To prevent the virus from becoming airborne and causing transmission, use disposable paper towels, rags, or old newspapers to clean up the waste, then seal it in a garbage bag before disposal.
Kuo Hung-wei, director of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Center, reported that the number of cases so far this year is comparable to the 2 to 3 cases seen during the same period over the past four years (2022 to 2025). Since 2017, there has been a cumulative total of 46 cases, with more males (31 cases, 67.4%) and individuals aged 40 and over (31 cases, 67.4%).
Kuo stated that Hantavirus syndrome is a zoonotic disease, with rodents being the natural hosts. Humans are at risk of infection if they inhale or come into contact with dust or objects contaminated with the excretions or secretions (including feces, urine, and saliva) of Hantavirus-carrying rodents, or if they are bitten by an infected rodent.
Following a Hantavirus outbreak on an international cruise ship and the rise of domestic cases to three, there is heightened public concern about changes in the rodent positivity rate in Taiwan. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui stated that the CDC currently conducts quarterly monitoring at major international airports and ports, trapping rats and testing for Hantavirus. The positivity rate has remained stable at 3% to 5% for many years, with no abnormal fluctuations.
The CDC urges that implementing the principles of "keep rats out, leave no place for rats to live, and leave no food for rats" is the most effective way to prevent Hantavirus. The public should pay attention to potential rodent entry points in their environment, properly manage kitchen waste and pet food, and maintain a clean environment at all times.