Study on the Notification of Imported Cases of Notifiable Diseases by Using the Data in the National Health Insurance Information System during 2007-2008

Chien-Hua Chu, JihChing Huang, Ya-Ling Chen, Che-Chieh Yen

2011 Vol.27 NO.2

Correspondence Author： Chien-Hua Chu

Abstract：

In order to know the medical service and disease notification associated with travelers after returning from abroad, we analyzed three notifiable diseases, i.e., dengue fever, amoebiasis, and shigellosis, with the largest number of imported cases during 2001-2008, by cross-checking the data collected between 2007 and 2008 in the Bureau of National Health Insurance Information System, the Self Health Management sub-System under the Border Quarantine Information System, and the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. The analysis found that among the cases reported as a diagnosis of dengue fever, amoebiasis, and shigellosis were 171, 46, and 47 cases, respectively, in the Bureau of National Health Insurance Information System during the study period, who had the entry history and ever sought medical service within a certain period after returning home. Of these cases, 158 (92.4%), 9 (19.1%), and 17 (35.4%) for dengue fever, amoebiasis, and shigellosis, respectively, have been reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
The imported cases of notifiable diseases are closely related to the risk of epidemic outbreak and the efficiency of disease control. This study provides an overview on the incidence of major imported cases in recent years in Taiwan, and offers an important reference in formulating a communicable disease surveillance policy for the purpose of preventing the impact of imported cases on the disease control system.