The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Friday afternoon reported a case of locally acquired measles from a man in northern Taiwan, and while the agency is tracing the potential source of infection, 102 close contacts are being monitored for symptoms.
The patient is a man in his 30s who lives in northern Taiwan and has not visited other countries recently. His is the sixth locally acquired measles case this year.
The man began having symptoms including a fever, fatigue, nausea and joint pain between Nov. 13 and Nov. 15, and sought treatment at a clinic twice, but his symptoms continued and he developed coughing, red rashes and conjunctivitis, CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said.
Photo: Lin Hui-chin, Taipei Times
He later sought treatment at a hospital on Nov. 20, where he was reported as a suspected measles case. He was later confirmed to have measles after test results came back positive, Lo said.
Contact tracing found that the man did not visit other countries during the incubation period, so the source of infection is still being investigated. However, he has had close contact with 102 people during his three clinic and hospital visits, so they would be monitored for symptoms until Dec. 12, the CDC said.
The man was removed from isolation on Wednesday, Lo said.
As there is an increase of measles activity in many countries, and the number of imported and locally acquired measles this year are the highest in five years, the CDC urges people to remain vigilant when traveling abroad, especially in Europe and Vietnam, he said.
Measles cases across Europe, the eastern Mediterranean region and Africa surged in the first half of this year, with cases reaching nearly as high as a peak period in 2019. An increased number of cases have also been reported in nearby countries, including Thailand and Vietnam, in the second half of the year, the CDC said.
Measles is a highly contagious disease, and a person with measles is infectious for about four days before and after the rashes appear, the agency said, urging doctors to remain alert, report any suspected cases and send specimens for testing as soon as possible to avoid delayed treatment and prevention.
The CDC recommends measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination as the most effective way to prevent measles infection.
The MMR vaccine’s effectiveness gradually wanes over time, but the overall vaccine coverage in Taiwan is high and there has not been an outbreak of measles cases locally, so people do not necessarily need to get a booster shot at this time, Lo said.
However, people with a higher risk of getting infected, such as healthcare practitioners or airline crew members, are encouraged to get a self-paid booster shot, and the CDC would continue to observe if sporadic local cases appear or a local outbreak occurs, Lo added.
Additional reporting by CNA
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