Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

The Taiwan Center for Disease Control (CDC/Taiwan) of the Department of Health (DOH) today (May 14) announced the first endemic measles case this year (the 6th measles case this year). This case is a 31-year-old man residing in Xinzhuang in Taipei County. With no traveling history, he started feeling tired on April 26, and on April 27, he had fever, rashes on his entire body, conjunctivitis, diarrhea and sore throat. He sought medical care at a nearby clinic on April 28, and was admitted to the emergency department of a medical center in North Taiwan in the early morning of April 30 for that his symptoms were not relieved. On the same day, he returned home for rest after given the treatment, and he now has recovered. This case was found with no records of measles immunization. The CDC/Taiwan has obtained the name list of 67 people who had in contact with him, and closely followed them up.

According to the CDC/Taiwan's surveillance data, from 2007 to 2009, a total of 74 measles cases were confirmed that is, 10, 16 and 48 cases in each year respectively. Out of these cases, there were 0, 9 and 39 endemic cases confirmed in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively, and the remaining cases were all imported. In this year, a total of 6 measles cases have been confirmed by May 13 which is lower comparing with 45 cases reported in the same period last year (38 endemic cases, 7 imported cases).

Outbreaks of measles often occur in late winter and spring. It is a highly infectious disease transmitted through air, flying particles of the saliva and patient's secretions. People without immunity against the disease have a very high probability to be infected. Immunization is the most economic and effective method to prevent measles. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is given in two shots, one each to children at 12 months old and grade one of elementary school. The MMR immunization rates in the whole country and Taipei County are respectively 98% and 97%. If people need to take infants aged 6 to 12 months old to measles epidemic countries, the CDC/Taiwan offers a free single monovalent measles vaccine. People in need of this vaccine can contact your local health bureau or health station.

The CDC/Taiwan calls on the public to seek medical care immediately if you have fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and rashes etc, and tell your physician relevant information. Physicians should pay attention to and report any suspected measles cases to health authorities so prevention measures can be implemented to prevent spread of the disease. People for any questions about the disease can visit the CDC/Taiwan's website or dial the epidemic reporting and enquiry hotline 1922.

Source:Department of Health,TAIWAN,ROC