Maintaining Human Health at the Border of Taiwan

Abstract

Because international travel is now more frequent and convenient, communicable diseases that occur in one region can be transmitted to another area within a few hours. For this reason, many efforts have been undertaken in Taiwan to establish a comprehensive border quarantine system to protect against imported diseases that may threaten the health of the population. According to the International Health Regulations (2005), decades of development strategies for border quarantine have covered not only routine practices and specific measures for handling a pandemic but also have drawn attention to the development of core capacities at designated points of entry. However, as a result of the rapidly increasing number of points of entry, changes in transportation patterns, and the emergence of diseases, current border quarantine practice is being challenged to maintain human resources and the efficacy of entry screening. It is therefore critical to reexamine border quarantine strategies that will fit future needs and national conditions. This article reviews the current border health practices in Taiwan and discusses 5 key challenges to be further considered and improved. The findings can serve as a guide for further policy reform in Taiwan and other countries.

Taiwan's Travel and Border Health Measures in Response to Zika

“…While there is some debate about the effectiveness and opportunity cost of border entry screening, it has proven useful in border disease detection, especially when laboratory examination is included in the procedure. 3,20-23 Entry screening measures may also provide an alternative policy response to tight travel restrictions. 7,24 Although the core capacity of detection and response infrastructure is yet to be implemented in some countries, 25 in future emerging and remerging disease events, entry surveillance at certain designated points of entry may enable early detection of diseases of international origin and more rapid activation of public health preparedness activities and international collaboration.…”

“…3 Before entering the country, passengers are provided with a video asking them to self-report illness before their aircraft lands. If a passenger appears ill onboard, the crew is required to report the event immediately to port authorities, including the border quarantine officer.…”

“…3 On February 22, 2016, the WHO provided recommendations regarding aircraft disinsection as a precautionary measure to control mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus based on country-specific risk assessments. 12 …”

“…2 This case showed that establishing airport entry screening measures may be an effective method for identifying potential imported cases. 3 It also raised the profile of Zika as an important public health concern not only in Taiwan but across Asia 4 and provided the opportunity to revaluate the presence of the Zika virus in Southeast Asia.…”

“…Furthermore, entry screening procedures were extended to include continuous measures, starting with pre-travel education and ending with monitoring through the end of the potential incubation period. 3,7 These efforts helped to accelerate national preparedness and community response, limit the impact of potential Zika infection introductions, and improve global and regional cooperation.…”