Taiwan’s CDC raised the travel advisory for Japan, as national measles outbreaks continue to break 2025 records. CDC Deputy Director General Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) recommended that travelers exercise caution, get vaccinated, or even avoid travel to affected areas altogether.

As of April, Japan recorded over 400 national measles infections, surpassing the total number of cases for all of 2025. Tokyo is the most-affected area, accounting for nearly half of all cases. Most cases are among teenagers and young adults, although the situation is escalating.

Tseng said that the CDC raised the travel advisory in Japan to Level 1 "Watch" due to the intensifying measles epidemic. This means that travelers should get the combination MMR (mumps, measles, and rubella) vaccine and be vigilant when traveling. She reminded the public that measles is highly contagious and can be spread through the air, so vulnerable people, such as young children or pregnant women, should avoid travel in infected areas altogether. 

Tseng said that measles symptoms can be confused with a cold or the flu, and include a runny nose, fever, and conjunctivitis. However, measles often presents a distinctive red rash. In 5% - 10% of cases can result in dangerous complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis, and the disease carries a mortality rate of up to 10% among high-risk individuals, so it must be taken seriously.

Taiwan has recorded a total of nine measles cases this year: seven imported and two locally transmitted. Outside of Japan, other countries, including the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh, are experiencing a high volume of cases, prompting the CDC to raise alert levels for affected countries. No country has yet received an alert above Level 2 "Alert" due to a measles outbreak.