Linkou Man Contracts Hantavirus in Keelung; 11 Contacts Monitored Until July 1
New Taipei's Health Department reported on the 18th that a man from Linkou has been confirmed with Hantavirus syndrome after being bitten by a rat at his workplace in Keelung. Authorities have identified 11 contacts who are all asymptomatic but will be under health monitoring until July 1 due to the virus's incubation period.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 12:52
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(CNA, New Taipei, 19th, by reporter Huang Hsu-Sheng) The New Taipei City Department of Health announced today that it received a notification from the central government on the 18th about a confirmed case of Hantavirus syndrome in a man from Linkou. An epidemiological investigation has been conducted, and 11 contacts have been listed, none of whom show suspected symptoms. Due to the virus's incubation period, the contacts will be monitored until July 1.
The New Taipei City Government Department of Health issued a press release today stating that a case of Hantavirus syndrome was confirmed on the 18th following a report from the central government. The patient is a 40-year-old man living in Linkou District. He was bitten by a rat while cleaning his workplace in Keelung on April 7 and immediately went to a hospital to have the wound cleaned.
The patient developed symptoms such as fever, chills, limb weakness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea on May 2. His condition did not improve after visiting a clinic. He then sought treatment at a hospital again, where he was reported, tested, and confirmed to be infected. The patient's symptoms have since improved, and he is expected to be discharged today (the 19th).
Wang Mei-Hua, head of the New Taipei Health Department's Disease Control Section, told CNA that after receiving the report on the 18th, they immediately listed contacts, including family and workplace contacts, for a total of 11 people, none of whom had suspected symptoms.
Wang Mei-Hua stated that human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus syndrome is extremely rare. The main routes of transmission are through inhalation of or contact with dust contaminated with the excreta or secretions of virus-carrying rodents, or by being bitten. Workplace environmental cleaning and disinfection are particularly important.
She said that the health department, after launching the epidemiological investigation and listing contacts, also notified the Keelung City Government's Department of Health to ask relevant contacts to conduct self-health management. The New Taipei Health Department and the health units in the contacts' localities will also actively follow up on their health status.
Wang Mei-Hua noted that the incubation period for Hantavirus is typically 1 to 8 weeks, with an average of about 2 to 4 weeks. According to the guidelines from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, the health monitoring of contacts will continue until July 1.
The New Taipei Health Department explained that the area around the patient's residence in Linkou underwent enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection yesterday. To prevent Hantavirus, the city has already completed the first round of city-wide spraying and side-ditch cleaning inspections and is currently conducting the second round of city-wide cleaning. It also called on the public to implement the "three no's" policy (no entry for rats, no shelter for rats, no food for rats) and to take personal precautions during cleaning to avoid being bitten by rats.
This New Taipei man who works in Keelung had sought medical attention when he was bitten by a rat in early April, but when symptoms appeared on May 2, his condition did not improve at the clinic, and no test was conducted. The diagnosis was only confirmed after he went to a hospital again. Wang Mei-Hua said that when seeking medical care, one should proactively inform the doctor about any history of animal contact (especially with rodents) to receive appropriate treatment early. (Editor: Chen Jen-Hua) 1150519
The New Taipei City Government Department of Health issued a press release today stating that a case of Hantavirus syndrome was confirmed on the 18th following a report from the central government. The patient is a 40-year-old man living in Linkou District. He was bitten by a rat while cleaning his workplace in Keelung on April 7 and immediately went to a hospital to have the wound cleaned.
The patient developed symptoms such as fever, chills, limb weakness, loss of appetite, and diarrhea on May 2. His condition did not improve after visiting a clinic. He then sought treatment at a hospital again, where he was reported, tested, and confirmed to be infected. The patient's symptoms have since improved, and he is expected to be discharged today (the 19th).
Wang Mei-Hua, head of the New Taipei Health Department's Disease Control Section, told CNA that after receiving the report on the 18th, they immediately listed contacts, including family and workplace contacts, for a total of 11 people, none of whom had suspected symptoms.
Wang Mei-Hua stated that human-to-human transmission of Hantavirus syndrome is extremely rare. The main routes of transmission are through inhalation of or contact with dust contaminated with the excreta or secretions of virus-carrying rodents, or by being bitten. Workplace environmental cleaning and disinfection are particularly important.
She said that the health department, after launching the epidemiological investigation and listing contacts, also notified the Keelung City Government's Department of Health to ask relevant contacts to conduct self-health management. The New Taipei Health Department and the health units in the contacts' localities will also actively follow up on their health status.
Wang Mei-Hua noted that the incubation period for Hantavirus is typically 1 to 8 weeks, with an average of about 2 to 4 weeks. According to the guidelines from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, the health monitoring of contacts will continue until July 1.
The New Taipei Health Department explained that the area around the patient's residence in Linkou underwent enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection yesterday. To prevent Hantavirus, the city has already completed the first round of city-wide spraying and side-ditch cleaning inspections and is currently conducting the second round of city-wide cleaning. It also called on the public to implement the "three no's" policy (no entry for rats, no shelter for rats, no food for rats) and to take personal precautions during cleaning to avoid being bitten by rats.
This New Taipei man who works in Keelung had sought medical attention when he was bitten by a rat in early April, but when symptoms appeared on May 2, his condition did not improve at the clinic, and no test was conducted. The diagnosis was only confirmed after he went to a hospital again. Wang Mei-Hua said that when seeking medical care, one should proactively inform the doctor about any history of animal contact (especially with rodents) to receive appropriate treatment early. (Editor: Chen Jen-Hua) 1150519