Taipei knife attack victim is HIV positive, tests recommended for those wounded or exposed to blood

Taiwan’s health authorities have urged anyone wounded or exposed to blood in the random metro stabbing spree on Friday (Dec. 19) to undergo testing following confirmation that one of the injured individuals is HIV-positive.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stressed that testing and early treatment are crucial to managing potential infections.

Knife attack

On Dec. 19, a man launched a seemingly unprovoked series of knife attacks at multiple locations across the Taipei metro area, before falling off a roof of a building after being pursued by police.

He was later pronounced dead.

Chang had a criminal record and was wanted by authorities for evading military service. His motive remains unclear.

As of 3:20pm on Saturday (Dec. 20), the attacks had resulted in three deaths and 11 injuries, with two patients in intensive care and three hospitalised in wards.

HIV-positive victim

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare confirmed on Dec. 20 that at least one individual wounded in the stabbings is living with HIV, according to the Taipei Times.

The CDC said this development necessitates heightened caution for anyone who had open wounds or contact with the victim’s blood during or after the incident.

These people were advised to contact the CDC’s toll-free hotline within 72 hours.

Health officials reassure public

The CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo explained that the overall risk of HIV transmission through the stabbing incident is low as the HIV-positive individual has been taking oral medication regularly and has near-undetectable viral levels.

He added, though, that the nature of direct blood contact means post-exposure testing is recommended.

“However, the possibility of other people’s open wounds or mucous membranes having been exposed to the [HIV-positive] person’s blood through the perpetrator’s weapon cannot be ruled out.”

The CDC emphasised that early testing allows for timely care and can prevent further transmission.

Lo said, as reported by Focus Taiwan, that preventive medication such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) given within 72 hours of exposure can reduce the risk of infection to almost zero.

Referring to a comparable incident in Berlin in 2006, Lo said that although one of the 33 stabbing victims was HIV-positive, 31 people received PEP following the attack and no infections were recorded.

Additional tests

Lo said that in addition to receiving PEP, injured individuals would undergo follow-up HIV testing in the weeks after exposure and that the CDC would cover the cost of preventive medication under a special programme.

This includes three months of monitoring and scheduled tests between the fourth and sixth weeks, with the final test scheduled at 12 weeks to confirm a negative result.

Lo also warned, as cited by Taiwan News, the public against revealing the identity of the HIV-positive victim, noting that violations could lead to fines ranging from NT$30,000 (S$1,240) to NT$150,000 (S$6,200).

Top images via OCAC News, zajalee/Threads