TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's first domestic measles case of 2024 was announced Monday (Feb. 19) by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as a man in his 30s living in the Northern part of the country tested positive.
The man had begun showing fever symptoms on Feb. 12, culminating in a rash on Feb. 15. He was diagnosed following an emergency room visit and was swiftly placed in an isolation ward.
Given no history of travel during the exposure period, the CDC concluded that it was a domestic case, and they're currently investigating possible sources of infection.
Health authorities have since identified 199 individuals who had contact with the patient. This includes four family members living with him, two non-cohabiting relatives, and 193 people he came into contact with at the hospital. All will continue to be monitored until Mar. 4.
Authorities also warned that the patient had visited a public place during the contagious period. He had dined at the KURA SUSHI Zhubei Wenxing Branch on the afternoon of Feb. 11. The CDC urged people who were at the restaurant at that time to self-monitor for symptoms for the next 18 days.
Since 2020, there have been four confirmed measles cases in Taiwan. The patients ranged in age from 20 to 30, with two cases, including the most recent in September 2022, being domestic. The other two patients were infected abroad - one each in Thailand and Turkey.
The CDC urged vaccination, particularly for infants older than one year. They advised taking children to the health bureau or contractual vaccination clinics for MMR vaccination, warning against traveling with children under the age of one or those not vaccinated. Travelers were reminded to maintain personal hygiene and seek medical help if symptoms arise.