TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control said Tuesday that three new measles cases were reported last week, including one local case, the source of which remains under investigation. 

Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳), deputy director of the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center, said the two imported cases were a woman in her 20s and a man in his 30s, both of whom had returned from Vietnam, per CNA. After returning, they developed symptoms such as fever, rash, sore throat, and cough, and were diagnosed with measles after a medical examination.

CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青) said the local case developed a fever and sore throat in early March and was initially diagnosed with a common cold at a clinic. Two days later, Lin said a rash appeared on his face, prompting him to go to the emergency room, where measles was confirmed after testing.

CDC Spokesperson Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said the local case was a man in his 20s from Taoyuan who was not a direct contact of any previously confirmed measles case. However, a friend with whom he lives had visited one of the imported cases from Vietnam in a medical facility. 

The individual had only driven his friend to the medical facility without entering it, and the friend had not shown any symptoms. Whether their paths overlapped with the imported case or if there is another link remains under investigation.

Lo added that three cohabitants of the local case are being monitored, with observation lasting until April 22. As for the two imported cases, health authorities have identified and are tracking their household, workplace, medical, and flight-related contacts, who will also be monitored until April 22.

As of April 7, the CDC has reported 22 measles cases in Taiwan this year, ranging in age from under 10 to over 60. Eight are local infections and 14 are imported, all from Vietnam. 

The CDC said Taiwan's domestic and imported case counts are at their highest over the same period in six years.

The CDC reminded the public that the global measles situation is severe. As of mid-March, Vietnam had reported over 42,000 suspected cases across all 63 provinces and cities, with more than 4,000 confirmed infections and five deaths. 

Lo emphasized that while some individuals born after 1981 who were vaccinated may experience waning immunity, as seen in this latest domestic case, Taiwan’s high vaccination coverage means the outbreak remains under control. Therefore, the CDC does not recommend that the general public pay out of pocket for vaccination. 

Paid vaccines in Taiwan remain prioritized for high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and flight crews. However, those who recently traveled to Vietnam and developed flu-like symptoms should inform their doctors about their travel history.