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Taoyuan mayor orders mental health review for suspect
Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng addresses the abduction of a young girl by an 18-year-old with mental illness. Authorities will review the suspect’s condition and provide counseling to the victim.
2024/10/28 13:31
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New Taipei restaurant closed after food poisoning scare
Authorities closed a New Taipei City restaurant after 24 patrons reported food poisoning symptoms. Health officials found hygiene issues and mandated corrective actions.
2024/10/17 09:58
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New Taipei City battles dengue fever outbreak
New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced efforts to control a dengue fever outbreak. The CDC reported three new cases, prompting disinfection and closures in high-risk areas.
2024/09/24 14:38
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Online vaccine bookings available from Sept. 27
Discover how Taipei Veterans General Hospital is simplifying access to free adult flu and COVID-19 vaccines with online appointments starting Sept. 27. Learn about the phased rollout and eligibility for 2024 vaccinations.
2024/09/23 21:00
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Toxic pesticide found in Taitung food poisoning case
Discover the latest on the Taitung mass food poisoning: tests confirm terbufos, a toxic pesticide, in millet dumplings. With three fatalities and ongoing investigations, learn more about the health implications and authorities’ response.
2024/09/19 14:22
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Kaohsiung company caught with 14-year-old expired meat
Discover the shocking find in Kaohsiung where authorities seized 11.4 metric tons of expired meat, some over 14 years old, from Bo-Son Meats Co., Ltd. Learn about the ongoing investigation and the measures taken to ensure food safety.
2024/07/12 09:31
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15 hospitalized in Kinmen for food poisoning, now recovered
Discover the details of a suspected food poisoning incident affecting 61 tourists in Kinmen after dining out, including the response from local health authorities and the ongoing investigation.
2024/05/29 16:39
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Taipei mayor takes action on suspected daycare child abuse
In Taipei, a child under one year old underwent successful emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, sparking concerns of potential child abuse. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has mobilized the Department of Health and police to investigate, with the daycare center temporarily suspended. The case’s complexities, including the timing of the injuries and responsibilities of the parents or nanny, are under scrutiny as authorities aim for a swift resolution and the child’s recovery.
2024/04/12 10:59
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Bafang Yunji Beitou branch investigated for food poisoning
Suspected food poisoning reported at Beitou Gongguan branch of Bafang Yunji in Taipei. Customers experienced vomiting and diarrhea after consuming corn soup and potstickers. Health department found unclean freezer fan and shelves, issued deadline for improvements. Restaurant cooperating with authorities, can continue normal operations pending investigation results.
2024/04/09 11:32
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Crackdown on Polam Kopitiam after food poisoning outbreak
The food poisoning incident involving Malaysian restaurant Polam Kopitiam in Taipei escalates as health authorities order all branches to cease operations immediately due to violations of the Food Safety Act, including an unregistered establishment facing a potential NT$3 million fine. Customers who dined between March 17 and 24 are advised to seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms, with the case officially classified as food poisoning.
2024/03/28 16:18
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Health Minister vows action after tragic child abuse case
Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan acknowledges shared responsibility in recent child abuse case, prompting examination and amendment to child welfare laws. Shocking incident involving daycare worker in Taipei stirs societal uproar. Emphasis on local implementation of child rights law and need for improved communication between central and local authorities highlighted. Calls for immediate review meetings by local government in major child abuse cases underscored.
2024/03/14 16:23
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Taipei union defends social worker amid abuse case
The Taipei Social Workers Union protests against the blame placed solely on social worker Chen in the tragic child abuse case involving 1-year-old "Kai-kai." The union defends Chen’s cooperation in the investigation and criticizes undue media attention, urging respect for her privacy. Concerns are raised over the Child Welfare League Foundation’s demands and authorities using social workers as scapegoats. The union questions the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s delayed response and law enforcement’s handling of Chen. As the case proceeds judicially, the union calls for discretion in sharing sensitive information and highlights systemic issues in the social work sector.
2024/03/13 11:29
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Nationwide alert: Toxic Sudan Red dye found in fried chicken
The Taiwan food industry is rocked by a scandal involving the detection of carcinogenic industrial dye Sudan Red in breading and marinade powders used by numerous restaurants across the country. Over two metric tons of tainted powders have been distributed in 11 municipalities nationwide, prompting swift action from health authorities and food businesses.
2024/03/11 18:21
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Taiwan clears domestic pork of Cimbuterol contamination
Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has announced that no detection of Cimbuterol, a feed additive used to promote leanness in animals, has been found in domestically-produced pork. This preliminary result dismisses concerns about the domestic pork supply being tainted with the substance. In the past, Taiwan Sugar Corporation’s pork slices were found to contain Cimbuterol, causing public concern. The Ministry of Agriculture has inspected 633 pre-market samples, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare has tested 73 post-market samples, with only one sample in Taichung city detecting Cimbuterol. The Health Ministry will strengthen random inspections for ractopamine in pork products and increase the number of annual inspections. The government will also enhance scrutiny of Cimbuterol imports and establish an expert group to assess the risk source at each link. The administration remains committed to ensuring the sanitary safety of pork products and monitoring related residues in various channels. Relevant authorities are dedicated to meeting Taiwan’s veterinary drug residue limits in foods.
2024/02/15 14:41
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Pingtung sheep farm hit by first brucellosis outbreak
A sheep farm in Pingtung County, Taiwan experiences its first outbreak of Brucellosis in 30 years, with three sheep testing positive for the disease. The infected sheep have been culled and the entire facility disinfected. Brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that can spread between people and animals, causing placentitis, infertility, miscarriage, and orchitis. The Pingtung County Animal Disease Control Center routinely monitors dairy cattle and sheep farms, with all dairy cattle farms testing negative in 2023. Further confirmation analysis and biweekly blood tests are mandated for the remaining sheep on the affected farm. Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture claims to have eradicated Brucellosis in dairy cows by 1989, and this is the first positive case identified on a sheep farm since surveillance began in 1986. Livestock farms are urged to avoid introducing animals from unknown sources and to enhance biosecurity measures, using proper personal protective equipment and reporting unexplained symptoms to animal health authorities.
2023/12/11 19:46
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Taiwan detects mycoplasma infection in teen traveler
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported the first case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a child detected during airport screening. A teenage boy developed a fever upon arriving from mainland China on December 4 and tested positive for the pathogen the following day. This detection has raised concerns amid an outbreak of respiratory illnesses in mainland China. The CDC has initiated targeted surveillance at the country’s four major international airports, urging travelers to undergo voluntary testing. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections account for only 1.2 percent of the cases identified through airport screenings, indicating a downward trend overall. The current respiratory diseases in mainland China are predominantly attributed to influenza viruses, with Mycoplasma infections declining. Health officials have reassured the public that airport testing protocols will continue and are expected to be maintained through the Lunar New Year period to ensure monitoring of incoming travelers and the containment of potential infectious diseases.
2023/12/09 15:24
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Taiwan monitors bulk drug buys amid China’s health crisis
The Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations (FTPA) has implemented monitoring of drug purchase patterns, specifically focusing on individuals buying 10 to 20 boxes of cold and cough medicine in one visit. These purchases must now be reported. The FTPA has received reports of bulk purchases by spouses from China and Taiwanese businesspeople, who claim these medications can be sold for a higher price in China. The FTPA emphasizes that medications should not be sold without a prescription and any violations will be reported to authorities. Additionally, there has been a growing trend of spouses from China taking chronic disease medications back to their home country, despite the prohibition of private sale. This development coincides with China’s respiratory disease outbreaks, particularly with an increase in mycoplasma cases.
2023/12/07 16:36
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Taiwan’s health insurance to include Chinese students
Taiwanese health authorities plan to include Chinese students in the island’s health insurance starting from the 2024 school year, according to Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan. Currently, international students must wait six months after arriving in Taiwan to be eligible for health insurance. The reform was prompted by concerns from Paraguay about the health rights of its students in Taiwan and was supported by Vice President Lai Ching-te, who advocated for equal treatment of Chinese students. Currently, international students with a residence permit and six months of residency in Taiwan can apply for health insurance at a cost of NT$826 per person per month. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council, has been considering this measure for some time and has evaluated its financial impact. The inclusion of Chinese students in the health insurance program will require adjustments to premiums for all international students, but the overall impact is expected to be minimal. The new measure will not apply to students who are in Taiwan for short periods and not pursuing a degree. However, it could be implemented as early as September 2024 for international students with a residence permit. Despite a halt on Chinese students coming to Taiwan since 2020, 378 students registered in 2022. The peak of Chinese students in Taiwan was in 2016, with a total of 41,975 students.
2023/11/09 11:29
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Five more domestic deaths from dengue fever reported
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported five more domestic deaths from dengue fever in Tainan and Yunlin. The deceased were males aged between 60 to over 80 with underlying conditions. Health authorities have implemented preventive measures in affected areas. Last week, there were 2,527 new local cases, including 19 severe cases.
2023/10/11 19:24
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Taiwan battles dengue outbreak amid higher temperatures
Taiwan faces a concerning spike in dengue fever cases, with Tainan bearing the brunt of over 80% of the 1,579 cases reported this year. As the nation grapples with rising temperatures and typhoon season, authorities intensify efforts to curb the disease’s spread. Learn about the factors driving the outbreak and essential prevention measures.
2023/08/18 15:55
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High temperatures fuel dengue fever outbreak in Taiwan
Taiwan health authorities have warned the public to take preventative measures against dengue fever, as nearly 300 cases have been reported nationwide this year, including the first domestic case reported in Tainan in June.
2023/07/13 17:42
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Authorities could lift this mask restriction in December
Health authorities recorded 16,015 new local infections in Taiwan on Thursday (Nov. 24), a decrease of 20.2% from the previous week. There were also 65 deaths, down from 77 a week ago.
2022/11/25 21:04
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Taiwan CECC refutes costlier Medigen vaccine claims
The head of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), Wang Pi-sheng, refuted claims on Tuesday (Nov. 1) that health authorities purchased Medigen vaccines above the market price.
2022/11/02 17:17
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Classes no longer suspended in case of student infection
Taiwanese schools implemented health authorities’ new pandemic regulations on Monday, right after the long Mid-Autumn Festival weekend. Starting Sept. 12, classes will no longer be fully suspended if one student is infected with COVID-19. Students will have to take a rapid test, and only the infected students will have to be quarantined.
2022/09/23 14:11