On February 25, 2014, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first case of hantavirus hemorrhagic fever. The case is a 53-year-old male who resides in northern Taiwan. He works in a traditional market as a pork butcher. During July 7 and 11, when he sought medical attention several times after developing symptoms, including fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, loss of appetiteAfter the hospital reported the patient as a suspected case to the health authority, infection with hantavirus hemorrhagic fever was confirmed in the case. After administering appropriate treatment, the case has fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital. As of now, none of the family members residing in the same household and people who work closely with the case has developed suspected symptoms. Since the wife goes to work at the market with the case sometimes, the local health authority has collected specimens from the wife for laboratory testing. In addition, the local health authority has implemented a number of rodent control measures around both places to reduce the risk of further transmission.

According to the surveillance statistics since 2001, a total of 15 cases of hantavirus hemorrhagic fever have been confirmed. Men are at greater risk for acquiring the infection, accounting for 93.3% of the total confirmed cases and most cases are aged between 20 and 29. Based on the results of a study on the most common and widespread rodent-borne diseases in the 5 metropolitan areas in Taiwan, residents who live close to and work staff at traditional markets and night markets are at increased risk of contracting hantavirus.

Hantavirus hemorrhagic fever is a zoonosis caused by hantaviruses. Rodents are the natural reservoir for hantaviruses and the virus is transmitted from infected rodents to humans by inhalation of aerosolized particles from rodent excreta or a bite from infected rodents. The incubation period ranges from a couple of days to two months. The virus does not spread between humans. Symptoms usually include fever, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, lower back pain, nausea, vomiting, varying degrees of hemorrhagic manifestations and kidney involvement.

As rodent control in and around the home remains the primary prevention strategy, Taiwan CDC urges the public to create a mouse-free environment by adhereing to the three “Don’ts”: “Don’t let rodents to enter. Don’t let rodents to stay. Don’t let rodents eat your food”. Taiwan CDC urges restaurants, hotels, eateries, markets, food factories and households to maintain good environmental hygiene and carry out deratting measures when necessary. Individuals should avoid contact with rodent droppings, urine, saliva, and nesting materials. Closed storage sheds and cabins are often ideal sites for rodent infestations. While cleaning up rodent droppings and urine, wear a mask, put on gloves, spray the droppings and urine with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water and let the excreta soak in the disinfectant or bleach solution for 30 minutes before disposing of the waste in the garbage. For any questions or further information, please contact the local health bureau or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922.