The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) announced today (the 14th) a new confirmed imported measles case in the country, a male in his 30s, a Taiwanese citizen from the north. In mid‑March 2026 he traveled to Indonesia, and 11 days after returning, on April 1, he developed conjunctivitis, followed by fever, cough and rash. After seeking medical care, he was reported and tested positive. Health authorities have currently identified 384 related contacts, with monitoring expected until April 21.
The CDC explained that Taiwan has a cumulative total of 7 measles cases in 2026, ages ranging from under 1 year to over 50 years, including 2 domestically acquired cases and 5 imported cases, with the countries of infection being Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, India and Indonesia (one each). The global measles epidemic continues; in Asia, countries such as Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore and Kazakhstan have reported cases since last year. In Japan, cases have risen sharply recently, with 197 cases reported up to April 1 this year—more than three times the same period last year (58 cases)—mainly in Tokyo and Kagoshima prefectures. Indonesia has reported over 15,000 cases this year; the recent trend is slowing, with weekly reports dropping from nearly 3,000 cases at the start of the year to about 200, though numbers remain high. In the Americas, Mexico has experienced a severe outbreak with over 9,000 cases to date, Guatemala reports over 3,500 cases, and the United States has over 1,700 cases, primarily in South Carolina, Utah and Texas. In Europe, 12 countries reported a total of 173 cases in January, with Italy and Spain accounting for most. The CDC has issued travel health advisories for nine countries—including Indonesia, Guatemala, Mexico, Vietnam and India—at level 2: Alert, urging the public to take enhanced protection when traveling there; an additional 31 countries are listed at level 1: Watch, reminding travelers to follow general preventive measures locally.
The CDC reminds that the international measles situation persists. People planning to travel to endemic areas should stay vigilant, maintain personal hygiene while traveling, wash hands frequently, avoid touching the mouth and nose, and wear masks as appropriate for self‑protection. Adults born in 1966 or later who plan to travel to measles‑endemic regions and are unsure of their immunity are advised to consult a travel medicine clinic 2–4 weeks before departure to assess whether an MMR vaccine is needed. Pregnant women and infants under 1 year are high‑risk groups and should avoid endemic areas; if an infant aged 6 months to under 1 year must travel, caregivers should bring the child to a health center or travel medicine clinic before departure for a privately‑funded dose of MMR vaccine. Upon return, if fever, rash, rhinitis, cough, conjunctivitis or other suspected measles symptoms appear, inform airport quarantine staff for health assessment. If such symptoms occur within three weeks of return, wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform the physician of travel and exposure history.
The CDC urges that measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air. If you have had contact with a confirmed case or have been notified by the local health bureau as a contact, be sure to follow the “Measles Contact Health Monitoring Notice,” conduct proper health monitoring and protective measures, wear a mask and self‑isolate if symptoms appear, and contact the health bureau promptly for medical arrangement. Do not underestimate or seek care on your own; failure to comply with self‑health management regulations may result in a fine of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 under Articles 48 and 67 of the Communicable Disease Control Act. Physicians are also asked to stay alert, inquire about TOCC (Travel, Occupation, Contact, Cluster) during patient visits, and strengthen diagnosis and reporting of suspected cases. For more information, visit the CDC global website (https://www.cdc.gov.tw) or call the toll‑free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) for inquiries.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Compiled by: Infection Control Office
