On August 5, 2013, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first indigenous measles case confirmed in a 28-year-old female who resides in northern Taiwan. Her immunization status is uncertain. She sought medical attention twice at two different clinics when she developed fever on July 18 and rash on July 22. She sought further medical assistance at a medical center in northern Taiwan on July 23 and was hospitalized. As of now, she has recovered and been discharged form the hospital. Taiwan CDC determined the patient to be this year’s first indigenous measles case in Taiwan since the patient did not travel overseas during the incubation period prior to the onset of her disease. To prevent further spread of the disease, the health authorities has implemented a number of prevention measures and compiled a list of 86 contacts to monitor and follow up. Currently, none of the contacts has developed any suspected symptoms.

Measles is a highly infectious respiratory disease that is spread by contact with droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of an infected person, either directly or through aerosol transmission. An infected person remains infectious four days before and after the development of rashes. Early symptoms include fever (over 38℃), coryza, cough, and conjunctivitis. Rash usually starts from behind the ears and spread to the face and down across the body. Hence, Taiwan CDC reminds the public to seek immediate medical attention when sick and avoid going to work or school or taking public transportation to reduce further transmission.

The best way to prevent measles is vaccination. In Taiwan, the existing routine childhood vaccination schedule recommends a dose of MMR vaccine to children 12 months of age and another dose to first graders in elementary schools. Unvaccinated infants and children, those who do not receive vaccine in a timely manner and those who have never been infected with measles are high-risk groups. Taiwan CDC once again reminds parents the importance of timely vaccination for children.

People aged between 18 and 30 who work in college and university, military, medical institutions, and child caring and educational institutions are recommended to receive the MMR vaccine two to four weeks prior to visiting areas affected by measles.

Over the years, the MMR vaccination coverage rate remains high nationally in Taiwan. As a result, measles incidence has drastically decreased. Nevertheless, Taiwan CDC urges physicians to stay vigilant. If a patient develops symptoms pertaining to measles infection, including fever over 38℃ and rash and one of the following symptoms: cough, runny nose or conjunctivitis (light sensitivity, or irritation or redness of the eyes), the physician should report such cases to the health authority as soon as possible and isolate the cases when necessary in order to prevent the further spread of measles. For any questions or further information, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.