Measles Outbreak in a Duty Free Shop, Northern Taiwan, 2015

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20160223.32(4).002

Wan-Ching Chen^1＊, Hsiu-Yi Wu¹, Yu-Fang Tsai¹, Ying-Shih Su², Jiunn-Shyan Julian Wu¹, Wen-Yueh Cheng³, Jer-Jea Yen¹

2016 Vol.32 NO.4

Correspondence Author： Wan-Ching Chen^1＊

Abstract：

On May 12–16, 2015, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control received three reports of measles from different hospitals, all from patients working at the same duty free shop (DFS) in Northern Taiwan. Monitoring of all employees in this DFS until July12 identified additional 16 case-patients. Seventeen of the 19 cases (ages 22–34 years) were measles PCR positive and the viruses were confirmed as Hunan genotype H1, but none of the 19 patients had travelled to China. Because Chinese tourists visit this DFS frequently, it is suspected that this outbreak is associated with cases brought in from China.

These patients were birth cohorts provided with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in Taiwan, and vaccine protection against measles might have waned over time. Timely MMR vaccination is key to prevent ongoing transmission. We recommend that venues with large numbers of international visitors, such as tourist attractions, shops, and hotels should provide MMR vaccine to their employees to prevent infection and spread of measles.