On May 2, 2014, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced the tenth imported case of measles confirmed this year. The case is a one-year-and-two-month-old girl who failed to complete her MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination as scheduled this February. On March 18, she visited relatives in Vietnam with her mother. On April 18, they returned to Taiwan. Consequently, she developed fever and rash. Measles infection was confirmed in the case after she sought medical attention and was reported to the health authority. Currently, she is hospitalized for treatment. Among the 12 family members residing in the same household, her 5-month-old cousin has developed suspected symptoms after having close contact with the case. As of now, the cousin has sought medical attention and has been reported to the health authority. To prevent further spread of the disease, the health authority has compiled a list of 125 contacts to monitor their health and administer follow up activities such as post-exposure prophylaxis until May 22. As of now, besides the cousin who developed suspected symptoms, none of the other contacts has developed symptoms.

As measles outbreaks continue to occur in China and Southeast Asia, children below one year old and those unvaccinated against MMR are advised against travel to areas affected by measles to prevent infection.

Taiwan CDC advises travelers planning to visit areas affected by measles to visit the outpatient travel clinic at 23 contracted hospitals in the nation to determine the need for measles vaccination prior to their trip, and throughout the trip, pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, avoid touching mouth and nose, and wearing a mask when visiting crowded places. If symptoms pertaining to measles infection such as fever, rhinitis and rash develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the physician of relevant travel and exposure history. For any questions or further information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).