Rubella in Philippines (exported to Taiwan)

09 Jun 2017

On 7 June 2017, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) reported this year’s first rubella case in a 34-year-old male who resides in Taiwan and recently returned from the Philippines. The case spent the majority of the time they could have become infected in the Philippines and there is no evidence of onward transmission in Taiwan. In addition Taiwan CDC notes that as of April 2017, a cumulative total of 450 rubella cases have been confirmed in the Western Pacific Region of which 30% were confirmed in the Philippines.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-13 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 4 months.

Consider vaccinating all unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves, particularly if they are going to be at higher risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine, at least one month apart, are required to give adequate protection.