Rubella

What is it ?

Rubella (also known as “German measles”) is an epidemic viral infection that takes the form of a skin rash. Most people contract this disease sometime during their childhood.

Disease transmission

Transmission occurs in two ways. “Acquired” rubella is transmitted through the respiratory tract. “Congenital” rubella is transmitted in early pregnancy to the fetus through the placenta.

Geographic risk zone

Shortages of rubella vaccine or a decline in systematic vaccination of children around the world is leading to a substantial increase in the numbers of observed cases. According to the WHO, over 30 million cases of rubella were diagnosed in 2003.

Symptoms description

Moderate fever
Headache
Pharyngitis
Swollen lymph nodes (“swollen glands”)
Conjunctivitis
Reddish skin patches, without itching (appearing mainly on the face, back and buttocks)

Health impact

Rubella is a relatively harmless disease that targets children primarily. However, if a woman contracts this disease in early pregnancy, it can cause serious deformations in the newborn infant. For this reason, vaccination of the general population in early childhood is strongly recommended.

Risks

Today, 80% to 90% of women in the world’s developed countries are immunized against rubella.
By 2002, rubella had practically disappeared in the United States.
The WHO expects to see this disease disappear completely by 2010.

Prevention

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 90% effective against these diseases. This vaccine is part of Quebec’s province-wide basic immunization program, and is available free of charge at the Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM. Visitors are required to pay an administrative fee ($ 5.00).

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that all travellers consult a travel health specialist before they go abroad. Your specialist will be able to advise you about various resources and options available so that you can protect yourself effectively against these diseases.

Vaccination : rubella

Yes

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Recommended products

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Nota Bene

The rubella virus incubates in the body for 2 to 3 weeks before the first symptoms appear.
While a woman who contracts this disease shortly after she becomes pregnant runs a high risk of having her child born with serious deformities, the danger to the fetus becomes virtually nil after the fourth month of pregnancy.