TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday established a Special Pathogen Treatment Centers at three Taipei hospitals to manage new infections that could pose public health risks.
According to the CDC, there is a 57% chance of a pandemic similar to COVID-19 occurring within the next 25 years. The new facilities are intended to help treat suspected cases from abroad and to accelerate Taiwan’s disease control response, per CNA.
The centers will continue to upgrade their software and hardware infrastructure, incorporate AI-powered equipment to enhance smart healthcare technologies, and establish standardized care models. In the event of an infectious disease outbreak in Taiwan, cases may be transferred to these three facilities at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, and National Cheng Kung University Hospital.
The first emergency drill for the centers was held Thursday at National Taiwan University Hospital, simulating the admission of an inbound traveler suspected of carrying a new infectious disease. The exercise was carried out by staff from the hospital’s internal medicine, infectious disease, emergency, and critical care departments, highlighting a coordinated response.
The CDC said that two additional drills will be held in September at Cheng Kung University Hospital and Taipei Veterans General Hospital. It added that the hospitals will also assign medical personnel to receive specialized training at overseas institutions.
In December 2024, a man in central Taiwan developed a fever and other flu-like symptoms upon returning from Vietnam. He was hospitalized the next day, triggering a measles outbreak within the hospital that resulted in over 26 confirmed cases. The CDC traced more than 1,000 contacts and monitored their health through January.
In January 2021, a doctor at Taoyuan General Hospital tested positive for COVID-19 after treating an infected patient, marking the first hospital-acquired infection among doctors in Taiwan.
The incident led to a hospital outbreak with 21 confirmed cases and took 44 days to bring under control. During that period, the CDC implemented measures such as patient isolation, access restrictions, and comprehensive disinfection.
