An investigation of a measles outbreak in Japan and Taiwan, China, March–May 2018

Authors

  • Kazuki Shimizu Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Ryo Kinoshita Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Keita Yoshii Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Andrei R Akhmetzhanov Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Sungmok Jung Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Hyojung Lee Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
  • Hiroshi Nishiura Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2018.9.2.005

Abstract

Objective: To investigate a measles outbreak that spread to Japan and Taiwan, China during March–May 2018, exploring the characteristics of the super-spreading event.

Methods: A contact investigation of the index case and reconstruction of the epidemiological dynamics of measles transmission were conducted. Employing a mathematical model, the effective reproduction number was estimated for each generation of cases.

Results and discussion: A single index case gave rise to a total of 38 secondary cases, 33 in Japan and five in Taiwan, China. Subsequent chains of transmission were observed in highly vaccinated populations in both Japan and Taiwan, China. The effective reproduction number of the second generation was >1 for both Japan and Taiwan, China. In Japan, the reproduction number was estimated to be <1 during the third generation. Vaccination of susceptible individuals is essential to prevent secondary and tertiary transmission events.

Author Biography

Hiroshi Nishiura, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan

Professor

Department of Hygiene

Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University

References

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Published

22-08-2018

How to Cite

1.
Shimizu K, Kinoshita R, Yoshii K, Akhmetzhanov AR, Jung S, Lee H, Nishiura H. An investigation of a measles outbreak in Japan and Taiwan, China, March–May 2018. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2018 Aug. 22 [cited 2026 Apr. 6];9(3). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/634

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2018): July – September

Section

Original Research

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