TAIPEI - Taiwan confirmed the 18th novel coronavirus pneumonia case, also the first without symptoms, the island's epidemic monitoring agency said Sunday.

The infected individual flew to Italy via Hong Kong on Jan 22 and returned to Taiwan on Feb 1 also via Hong Kong, together with his parents and elder brother, the agency said in a press release.

His parents and brother were all confirmed to be infected by the virus earlier this week and showed symptoms of cough or fever, but this man in his 20s has not showed any symptom as of now, the agency said.

The authorities have identified a total of 78 people having contacts with the family, it added.

The island now has 152 suspected cases under quarantine.