"If you were exposed to blood, you should get tested"... HIV-positive victim in Taiwan knife rampage sparks public concern

The photo shows police controlling the scene of the knife attack in Taipei. December 20, 2025. /Photo=Newsis [Financial News] Following a knife rampage in downtown Taipei that left three dead and over ten injured, concerns are rising after it was revealed that one of the victims tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), raising fears of secondary infections.
According to multiple foreign media outlets including EBC News on the 22nd, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, announced that one of the injured from the knife attack on the 20th, identified as Mr. A, is an HIV carrier. Authorities also stated that they have established and are operating an emergency response plan to prevent the spread of HIV.
The Taiwan CDC is currently running a dedicated hotline for this incident. Shih Chung-liang, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "We have received 21 inquiry calls over the past two days," adding, "A small number of these callers were referred to medical institutions to assess the need for preventive medication.
" Authorities explained that the HIV-positive individual has been under stable management with medication. However, they urged anyone who was exposed to blood splatter or sustained cuts to contact them within 72 hours for testing.
The government plans to provide follow-up medical services, including preventive medication against HIV infection. The perpetrator of the knife rampage, Jang Won, carried out indiscriminate attacks around Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan Station on the 19th before dying after jumping from the fifth floor of a department store while fleeing from police.
In addition to Jang Won, three others were killed and eleven were injured in the incident.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter