An investigation of a measles outbreak in Japan and Taiwan, China, March–May 2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.v9i3.634Abstract
Objective
To investigate the multi-country outbreak of measles that spread to Japan and Taiwan, China during March–May 2018, exploring the characteristics of the super-spreading event.
Methods
A contact investigation of 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 5 in Taiwan, China. Subsequent chains of transmission were observed both in Japan and Taiwan, China, both highly vaccinated countries. The effective reproduction number of the second generation was greater than 1 for both Japan and Taiwan, China. In Japan, the reproduction number was estimated to be less than 1 during the third generation. Vaccination of susceptible individuals is essential to prevent secondary and tertiary transmission events.
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