On November 19, 2013, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s sixth rubella case.  The case is a 24-year-old female who resides in northern Taiwan. During mid-October, she traveled to Jiansu and Shandong, China for business. On October 30, she consequently developed fever, runny nose, sore throat, joint pain and rash. On November 12, she took a flight back to Taiwan and immediately sought medical attention. On the same day, she was diagnosed with rubella. As of now, she has fully recovered. Nevertheless, the case was still infectious when she took the flight back to Taiwan. To prevent further spread of the disease, the health authority has obtained the list of 13 passengers who took the same flight with the case and 123 patients who sought medical attention at the same hospital as the case for follow-up activities and monitoring. Currently, none of the close contacts has developed any suspected symptoms.

This year, more serious rubella outbreaks have occurred in neighboring countries, including China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. In addition, milder outbreaks have also occurred in parts of Europe. Due to frequent international exchange through travel, tourism, business, study, and visiting relatives, rubella can be easily imported into Taiwan. Since March this year, imported cases of rubella have occurred. As of November 18, a total of 6 imported rubella cases have been confirmed, including 4 from Japan, 1 from Malaysia, and 1 from China. On the other hand, one indigenous rubella case has also been confirmed in Taiwan. Hence, Taiwan CDC urges children under the age of one and pregnant women who have no rubella antibodies to avoid traveling to areas affected by rubella.   In addition, travelers aged between 20-50 who wish to visit affected areas and will come into contact with pregnant women and children below one year old are recommended to visit the contracted travel medicine outpatient clinic to evaluate the need of MMR vaccination before their trip.

Rubella is a highly contagious disease. People who are infected with rubella are infectious from 1 week before to 7 days after the rash appears. It is transmitted through airborne droplet or close contact with the patient. Vaccination is an effective way to prevent rubella. Taiwan CDC urges parents to ensure their children to receive the MMR vaccine at a local health station or contracted hospital when reaching 12 months of age. Taiwan CDC once again reminds the public the importance of timely vaccination for children. Women of child-bearing age who are tested negative for rubella antibody during the pre-marital medical examination can receive a free dose of MMR vaccine when presenting the negative rubella antibody result at the local health station.  

Most people who are infected with rubella develop mild symptoms such as fever, conjunctivitis, nasopharyngitis, swollen glands (suboccipital and posterior cervical lymphadenopathy), and rash. If a pregnant woman who has no rubella antibodies becomes infected with rubella, there is a 90% chance she will pass the infection to her unborn child and a 25% chance that the child will develop congenital rubella syndrome, resulting in fetal death, miscarriage or birth defects such as deafness, glaucoma, cataract, microcephaly, intellectual disability, heart disease and even death. Taiwan CDC urges the public to seek immediate medical attention when suspected symptoms develop and inform the doctor of any recent travel history and activity to facilitate prompt diagnosis and case reporting. Physicians are also advised to be vigilant for and notify any suspected cases to the health authority immediately to facilitate implementation of subsequent measures that prevent further spread of the disease. 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 if calling from a cell phone.