Release Date: 2026-05-15
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (May 15) that New Zealand notified Taiwan through the International Health Regulations (IHR) window on May 13, 2026, that a New Zealand passenger who had traveled on the MV Hondius international cruise ship in April was currently staying in Taiwan but had no related symptoms.
The CDC immediately initiated contact tracing, assigned an epidemiologist to contact the passenger, and arranged for the passenger to go to the hospital for testing and observation on the same day.
After testing blood, urine, saliva, and nasopharyngeal samples, the results yesterday (May 14) showed that the Hantavirus Andean PCR and serum IgM and IgG antibodies were all negative, temporarily ruling out infection.
The CDC explained that the passenger disembarked on Saint Helena Island on April 24, and the last exposure day with other passengers was April 25.
The passenger entered Taiwan on May 7 and stated that he has not experienced any physical discomfort or health abnormalities to date.
To respond prudently and appropriately to this incident, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has taken preventative measures in accordance with professional guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union CDC, and the US CDC.
Today, an expert consultation meeting was held to discuss relevant prevention and control measures for suspected Hantavirus Andean strain cases.
Based on a comprehensive review of expert recommendations, and considering the passenger's status as a high-risk contact, the passenger has been placed in a single-room hospital room under the guidance of a medical team for "enhanced self-health management" until June 6th (the maximum incubation period is 42 days from the last exposure date of April 25th).
The passenger is required to monitor their health daily by taking their temperature and to maintain good respiratory and hand hygiene.
Taiwan has notified the WHO of the passenger's situation through the IHR window and has also proactively contacted the New Zealand representative office in Taiwan to provide necessary assistance.
Weekly testing is planned until the enhanced self-health management period ends.
The CDC emphasizes that the passenger's test results are negative, ruling out infection.
The enhanced self-health management in the hospital poses no risk to the domestic community.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will continue to work with the WHO and the New Zealand government to properly handle all aspects of the response measures taken during this passenger's stay in Singapore. Singaporeans can rest assured.
No comments:
Post a Comment