Banqiao clinic ordered to close after Hepatitis C outbreak infects 11 people

An acute Hepatitis C outbreak has been identified at the An Tai Song He Clinic in the Banqiao District of New Taipei City, Taiwan. Investigations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New Taipei City Health Bureau have confirmed 11 cases linked to the facility through injection exposure.

Genetic sequencing of the virus showed a high degree of homology, with 9 out of 11 cases sharing a similarity of 99.7% to 100%. Inspections of the clinic revealed significant infection control violations, including the practice of leaving needles in medicine bottles to repeatedly draw medication and pre-filling syringes in non-treatment areas.

As a result, the New Taipei City Health Bureau has ordered the clinic to cease all operations and has imposed a fine of 300,000 TWD. Authorities are also pursuing disciplinary action against the responsible physician, which could include the revocation of their medical license.

The Health Bureau is urging anyone who received injections at the clinic between July 1, 2025, and August 27, 2026, to visit one of the 29 district health centers in New Taipei City for free blood testing. All currently confirmed patients have reportedly been discharged after their symptoms improved.