Infestação de ratos em Taipei continua! A OMS alerta para casos do vírus Hantavírus, e se ocorrer um cisne negro, pode impactar o mercado de criptomoedas

Taipei City erupts in the “Rat Peace Chaos,” Mayor Chiang Wan-an announces the formation of a surveillance and prevention team. Internationally, the Hantavirus outbreak intensifies, triggering WHO alerts, and the crypto market fears a repeat of the “Black Thursday” event.

Taipei falls into the “Rat Peace Chaos” crisis, with the surveillance team attempting to contain the breeding surge of millions

Recently, Taipei has faced a severe rat infestation crisis, with citizens frequently spotting rats in multiple districts. Online communities have dubbed this chaos the “Rat Peace Chaos.”

According to data shared by netizen Wang Hao, rats have a very strong reproductive capacity; it takes about 5 to 6 weeks from birth to reproductive maturity, with an average of about 8 pups per litter. If starting with 200 rats (males and females), without effective control measures, the population could grow exponentially to 1.66 million in 12 months.

Image source: Yik Lim, data shared by netizens. Starting with 200 rats, the population could grow exponentially to 1.66 million in 12 months.

This data indicates that Taipei faces a risk of more rats than humans. In response to public pressure and environmental health concerns, the Taipei City Government held a “Rat Pest Control Press Conference” on May 5th, led by Mayor Chiang Wan-an, announcing the launch of the “Rodent Surveillance and Prevention” system, planning to mobilize over 100 personnel for control efforts.

These surveillance professionals are tasked with helping residents identify rat entry points, food sources, and hidden debris accumulation sites, rather than simply trapping rats. Taipei’s Environmental Protection Bureau aims to use scientific methods to cut off rats’ living spaces. Currently, the city government has increased enforcement against violations such as feeding birds in parks, with fines up to 6,000 NT dollars, attempting to manage the source and curb the rat population expansion.

Council inquiries spark debate over scientific data, with arguments over “South Rat North Send” theory

The rat infestation issue has evolved into fierce political contention in Taipei City Council. During a council inquiry on May 6th, DPP councilor Jian Shupei pointed out that Taipei caught 944 rats over 11 days in late April 2026, averaging 85 rats per day, demonstrating the rat problem is real and not just political manipulation.

In response to external doubts, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an countered that some “South Rat North Send” claims circulating online are part of a perception operation, emphasizing that the city government will do its best to control the situation regardless of rat numbers.

Image source: Taiwan Television News. Facing questions from DPP councilor Jian Shupei, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an responded that some “South Rat North Send” claims circulating online are part of a perception operation, and the city will fully combat the issue.

However, Social Democratic Party councilor Miao Boya criticized the city government for lacking scientific monitoring data. She revealed that since the suspension of systematic rat surveys in 2015, Taipei has not conducted comprehensive rat population studies for 12 years, and current control efforts lack data support.

Grassroots voices also express dissatisfaction with policies. Wenshan District Huaxing Village chief Chen Zhiying posted on Facebook that Deputy Mayor Li Sichuan’s 2023 proposal to add more street trash bins has led to overflowing garbage, creating a “luxurious buffet” for rats and becoming a breeding ground for the current rat plague. Chen Zhiying had already removed some trash bins last year as a protest and called on the city government to evaluate reducing trash bins and strengthen outsourced cleaning, avoiding a patchwork approach to governance.

WHO issues global alert on Hantavirus, deadly cruise ship cluster triggers high alert

In May, as Taiwan launched a major rat control campaign, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global warning about the outbreak of Hantavirus internationally.

Image source: WHO. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert regarding the outbreak of Hantavirus internationally.

A cruise ship named Hondius reported a cluster of Hantavirus infections, with 7 confirmed cases and 3 fatalities. Hantavirus is a zoonotic disease mainly transmitted through inhalation or contact with dust and objects contaminated by infected rodent excreta. The fatality rate in the Americas can reach 50%, and there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

WHO specifically mentioned that the possibility of human-to-human transmission in this cruise case has not been ruled out, adding to international panic. A 69-year-old Dutch woman died after disembarking in Johannesburg, prompting urgent contact tracing of over 80 passengers on the same flight. Taipei recorded a Hantavirus death case in January 2026, and recent warnings from Hong Kong media about tourists being cautious of Taipei’s rat problem have elevated this biological threat from a local environmental issue to an international public health concern.

Hantavirus may become a black swan event, with crypto markets fearing a “Black Thursday” repeat

The spread of Hantavirus internationally has stirred sensitive nerves among cryptocurrency investors, recalling the “Black Thursday” of March 2020. When WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Bitcoin ($BTC) plummeted over 50% within 48 hours, briefly touching a low of $3,883, with market liquidity drying up instantly. Social media platforms are now filled with anxiety, as investors fear a deadly infectious disease could trigger another market crash.

Image source: TradingView. WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Bitcoin ($BTC) plummeted over 50% within 48 hours.

However, today’s market environment is more mature than in 2020. Approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs, ongoing institutional holdings, and White House-backed strategic reserves provide price support.

Nevertheless, Hantavirus’s high fatality rate remains a potential threat. If sustained human-to-human transmission occurs, the global economy could face new uncertainties. Market analysts warn that if the outbreak spirals out of control, investors may prioritize liquidating digital assets to reduce risk, with altcoins being the most vulnerable.

Under the current situation of Taipei’s “Rat Peace Chaos” intertwined with international health alerts, investors should closely monitor public health responses. If the outbreak remains localized, its impact on financial markets will be limited; if it escalates into a global crisis, the crypto market could once again suffer from liquidity pressures driven by risk aversion.