Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 01, 2024 9 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, 7 hours, 40 minutes ago
Measles News: In a concerning development, health authorities in Taiwan have reported a rare measles cluster outbreak in a northern hospital. The situation has escalated as a medical worker in his 30s contracted the highly contagious disease from the country's first domestic measles patient this year. This incident marks a critical juncture in the battle against measles, with fears of more cases emerging in Asia in the coming weeks. In this article, we delve into the details of the outbreak, its potential consequences, and the broader context of measles infections globally.
Measles Outbreak In Taiwan Sends Alarm Bells Ringing Across Asia
Pic Credit: Taiwan CDC
Rare Measles Cluster Outbreak in Northern Taiwan
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan have identified a rare domestic measles cluster involving two individuals.
According to
local Measles News coverages, the index case, a man in his 30s, initiated the cluster when he contracted the disease at a northern Taiwan hospital. Subsequently, a medical worker in his 30s, experiencing symptoms like dizziness, coughing, and a rash since Feb. 24, tested positive for measles on Tuesday.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5104176
https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202402280013
The Taiwanese CDC Deputy Director General, Lo Yi-chun, revealed that a total of 306 people have been identified as close contacts of the infected medical worker.
Implications for the Public
The ramifications of this measles outbreak extend beyond the immediate cases. The 306 close contacts include four non-cohabiting family members and 302 others whose activities overlapped with the infected medical worker. These individuals face potential exposure to the virus, posing a significant challenge for health authorities in preventing further transmission. Locations visited by the infected individual, such as the B2 food court in Terminal 2 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Liang's Rice Noodle Soup in New Taipei's Zhonghe District, have been identified as potential risk zones.
Health authorities emphasize the need for people who were present at these locations to monitor their health until March 15.
Measles is highly contagious, with the risk of transmission four days before and after the appearance of a rash. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or a rash are urged to alert health authorities promptly to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Index Case and Contact Tracing
The index case, the first individual in the cluster, has prompted contact tracing efforts. A
man in his 30s, the index case has resulted in an additional 100 individuals being listed as his close contacts. This brings the total number of identified contacts to 299 as of Feb. 19. The complexity of contact tracing adds a layer of challenge to containing the outbreak and preventing further dissemination of the virus within the community.
Measles Cases in Taiwan and Global Trends
Taiwan has reported three measles cases so far this year - the two local cases from the hospital cluster and an imported case involving a foreign national who entered Taiwan from Malaysia on Feb. 20. These cases raise concerns about the potential for measles to spread within the country and beyond its borders.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) data indicates a significant spike in measles infections since 2023. The most substantial surge has been reported in Europe, primarily attributed to a decreasing vaccination rate. Europe recorded over 58,000 measles cases last year, a staggering 62 times the number reported in 2022. This alarming trend underscores the importance of vaccination programs and the need for a robust public health response to curb the resurgence of preventable diseases.
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/22-02-2024-rapid-measles-outbreak-response-critical-to-protect-millions-of-vulnerable-children
While cases of measles are rising in various parts of Europe, Northern and Southern America, the Middle-east and Africa, there has been relative silence about the situation in Asia.
Due to issues of political correctness and to avoid being labelled as discriminatory, health authorities especially in Europe, Africa and the Middle East are refusing to acknowledge the fact that in most cases, the measles outbreaks are caused by certain Muslim extremists who are refusing to get their children vaccinated due to religious reasons!
Many are anticipating that measles is a potential “time bomb” waiting to explode across Asia!
Conclusion
The rare measles cluster outbreak in northern Taiwan serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in the battle against infectious diseases. The interconnectedness of our world, coupled with factors like decreasing vaccination rates, creates an environment conducive to the resurgence of preventable illnesses. The immediate focus for health authorities in Taiwan is containment, contact tracing, and public awareness to prevent further cases. However, the broader concern looms over the potential spread of measles in Asia, as the region braces for the possibility of more cases in the coming weeks. This outbreak underscores the critical role of vaccination and global cooperation in safeguarding public health against the resurgence of once-controlled diseases.
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