TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said Thursday that approximately 900 people have been identified as close contacts of a foreign National Taiwan University student diagnosed with tuberculosis.
Shih made the remarks at a press conference following a Cabinet meeting, noting health officials believe the situation involves isolated infections rather than a cluster outbreak. Contact tracing and monitoring are ongoing, per CNA.
A number of NTU students shared letters from the university's health center on social media informing them they had been identified as close contacts. As a result, they must undergo mandatory health education, chest X-rays, and blood tests.
Centers for Disease Control Spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said local health authorities are continuing to trace contacts as some of the patient’s activities took place off campus. The investigation is ongoing.
Lin said contact tracing criteria include spending at least eight hours per day in the same enclosed space as the infected person, or a cumulative total of 40 hours. He reminded the public that receiving notification does not mean a person is infected and urged individuals to cooperate with testing.
According to the CDC, tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a chronic infectious disease common in developing countries. Tuberculosis cases occur year-round in Taiwan, with higher incidence among men and the elderly.
The CDC said tuberculosis is transmitted through respiratory droplets and airborne particles, not through clothing or shared utensils. Infection most often occurs among people living in the same household or in prolonged close contact with an infected individual.
Duration of exposure and ventilation conditions are key factors affecting transmission. The CDC noted that healthy individuals who become infected usually do not show symptoms immediately. Once symptoms develop, they may include a cough lasting more than two weeks, weight loss, and fever.
People who are infected but asymptomatic are not contagious. However, the bacteria can remain dormant for years. Up to 10% of infected individuals will develop active tuberculosis during their lifetime, with the highest risk occurring within the first two years after infection.
