# HPV non-sexual transmission warnings in Taiwan > Situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hpv-non-sexual-transmission-warnings-in-taiwan > Updated: 2026-10-06T22:56:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Medical professionals in Taiwan have issued warnings regarding the non-sexual transmission of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) through shared surfaces and personal items. Initially, dermatologist Wu Jen-chin reported a case where a 65-year-old man developed genital warts after sitting directly on a sauna chair without a towel. Dr. Wu noted that HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin or mucosal contact via contaminated surfaces. Subsequently, urologist Gu Fang-yu reported a case involving a young child who developed facial warts. The infection was linked to a grandfather who had contracted the virus, with transmission occurring through the family practice of sharing a single towel. In response to these incidents, medical experts recommend using personal towels in public facilities, avoiding the sharing of items that contact skin or mucous membranes, and utilizing the HPV vaccine to reduce risk. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-06: HPV infection transmitted from grandfather to young child via shared towel A young boy in Taiwan contracted HPV warts on his face after his grandfather, who was infected at a red-light district, shared a towel with the family. Doctors advise vaccination and avoiding shared personalHy- 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hpv-infection-transmitted-from-grandfather-to-young-child-via-shared-towel ### 2026-09-27: Dermatologist warns of HPV transmission via sauna surfaces Dermatologist Wu Jen-chin warns that HPV can be transmitted via contaminated surfaces in saunas or pools, advising the use of personal towels and HPV vaccination for both men and women. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dermatologist-warns-of-hpv-transmission-via-sauna-surfaces --- Cite as: HPV non-sexual transmission warnings in Taiwan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hpv-non-sexual-transmission-warnings-in-taiwan