TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan confirmed its first hantavirus-related death of the year on Friday, involving a man in his 70s who lived in Taipei.

He died on Jan. 13, about eight days after developing symptoms. Laboratory tests confirmed a hantavirus infection on Jan. 22, according to CNA.

The man had no history of recent travel, either within Taiwan or abroad, and spent most of his time at home. Health authorities noted frequent rodent activity near his residence.

Of four mice captured in the area, two tested positive for hantavirus antibodies. Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans, most commonly through rodents.

Humans can become infected by inhaling dust or coming into contact with surfaces contaminated with rodent urine, feces, or saliva, or through rodent bites. The incubation period ranges from several days to two months, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Early symptoms include persistent fever, headache, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Bleeding may appear three to six days after infection, along with protein in the urine, low blood pressure, or reduced urine output.

Severe cases can progress to shock or acute kidney injury. In this instance, the patient first developed coughing, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure, then experienced gastrointestinal symptoms and fever before being hospitalized on Jan. 8 and dying from multi-organ failure.

It is the only confirmed hantavirus case in the country this year. Authorities note it is consistent with recent trends when one or no cases were reported during the same period from 2022 to 2025.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control advised residents to prevent infection by keeping rodents out of living areas. Recommended measures include sealing entry points, storing food and pet feed securely, and other potential rodent hotspots such as drains, cluttered spaces, and walls.