The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) today (the 21st) announced a new domestically confirmed case of imported measles, a foreign national student in their early teens from the north. The student entered the country at the end of March 2026 and began showing fever, sore throat, and rash symptoms in early April. After seeking medical care, the case was reported and tested positive. Health authorities have currently identified 162 related contacts and plan to monitor them until May 1.
The CDC explained that Taiwan has recorded a total of eight measles cases this year, ranging in age from under 1 year to over 50 years. Of these, two are domestically acquired cases and six are imported cases, with one case each linked to Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, India, Indonesia, and Kyrgyzstan. The global measles outbreak continues, with Asian countries such as Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Japan, and Kazakhstan still reporting cases. Japan’s recent outbreak has risen, with 236 cases reported up to April 8 this year—the highest for the same period in the past seven years—mainly in Tokyo and Kagoshima prefectures. Central Asian Kyrgyzstan has reported over 8,500 cases since 2025, and Kazakhstan reported 1,951 confirmed cases in January this year. In the Americas, Mexico’s severe outbreak has exceeded 9,000 cases, Guatemala’s cases have risen to over 3,500, and the United States has reported over 1,700 cases. In Europe, the United Kingdom has reported a cumulative 407 cases up to April 13 this year, and the European Union reported 139 cases across 11 countries in February, primarily in Italy and Spain. The CDC has issued travel health advisories for ten countries—including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Guatemala, Mexico, Vietnam, and India—at level 2: Alert, urging the public to take enhanced protection when traveling there; an additional 30 countries are listed at level 1: Watch, reminding travelers to follow general preventive measures locally.
The CDC reminds that measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air. With the ongoing international outbreak, anyone who has recently traveled to affected areas and develops fever, rash, rhinitis, cough, conjunctivitis, or other suspected measles symptoms within three weeks after returning should wear a mask, seek medical care promptly, and inform the physician of their travel and exposure history. Additionally, if you have had contact with a confirmed case or have been identified as a contact by the local health bureau, you should implement health monitoring and protective measures. Physicians are urged to stay vigilant, inquire about TOCC (Travel history, Occupation, Contact history, and whether there was a cluster) during patient visits, and strengthen the diagnosis and reporting of suspected cases.
The CDC urges that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Taiwan currently has sufficient stock of the publicly funded measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the public is reminded to bring their young children for timely immunization. Because immunity from measles‑related vaccines wanes over time, adults born in 1966 or later who plan to travel to areas with measles transmission are advised to consult a travel‑medicine clinic 2–4 weeks before departure to assess the need for an MMR booster. While traveling, maintain personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, avoid touching the mouth and nose, and wear a mask when appropriate as self‑protective measures. If suspected measles symptoms appear upon return, inform airport quarantine personnel and cooperate with health assessments. For more information, visit the CDC’s 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: Health Management Office
