Epidemiology of Imported Shigellosis Detected in Taoyuan International Airport of Taiwan, 2009-2013

Fu-Jun Chen^＊, Li-Yen Wang, Hao-Hsin Wu, Shu-Choan Lin, Mei-Jung Chen, Jhy-Wen Wu, Kun-Bin Wu

2015 Vol.31 NO.3

Correspondence Author： Fu-Jun Chen

Abstract：

       Shigellosis is a highly pathogenic gastrointestinal diseases caused by Shigella spp. The numbers of imported shigellosis in Taiwan increased gradually in recent years. The epidemiology of imported Shigellosis, a total of 116 cases detected in Taoyuan International Airport quarantine station between 1 January, 2009 and 31 December 2013, was analyzed, including age, sex, symptoms, visiting country, travel time and pathogenic species. The median age of cases is 32 years (range 5-68). One hundred and three cases are Taiwanese (88.8%), and 60 are male (51.7%). The Southeast Asia countries are the most common countries the cases visiting, 32 to Indonesia (27.6%), 25 to Cambodia (21.6%), and 17 to China (14.7%), Group tour is the most common travel type with 53 (45.3%) cases. The highest culture positive rate is in tourists visiting relatives, up to 4.2%. Fifty-six (48.3%) cases were reported during July to September. Sixty-seven (58.1%) cases live in Northern Taiwan. S. sonnei accounted for 70 (60.3%) cases Continuous border quarantine, surveillance, and health education for the public remain important for the prevention of imported Shigellosis.