Open AccessA large rubella outbreak, Romania - 2003
Author(s) -
Alexandru Rafilă,
Mona Marin,
Adriana Pistol,
D Nicolaiciuc,
Emilia Lupulescu,
Amra Uzicanin,
Susan E. Reef
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
euro surveillance/eurosurveillance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.766
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1560-7917
pISSN - 1025-496X
DOI - 10.2807/esm.09.04.00457-en
Subject(s) - rubella , medicine , rubella vaccine , outbreak , vaccination , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , measles , congenital rubella syndrome , rubella virus , mmr vaccine , transmission (telecommunications) , population , pregnancy , measles mumps rubella vaccine , virology , obstetrics , environmental health , biology , physics , genetics , electrical engineering , optics , engineering
Romania experienced a large rubella outbreak in 2002-03, with more than 115 000 reported cases nationwide, and an incidence of 531 reported cases per 100 000 population. The incidence was highest in children of school age. The cohorts of adolescent girls vaccinated in 1998 and 2002 (when a rubella-containing vaccine was available) had significantly lower incidence rates (p<0.001) compared with those in boys in the same age groups who were not vaccinated. In 2003, of the 150 suspected congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases reported, seven (4.6%) were confirmed by positive rubella IgM antibodies. In the absence of available rubella containing vaccine for outbreak control, an outbreak response plan to improve the detection of cases and to limit rubella virus transmission was developed. The following activities were conducted: surveillance of pregnant women with suspected rubella or history of exposure to rubella virus was implemented, with follow up of pregnancy outcomes; surveillance for CRS was strengthened; existing infection control guidelines to prevent disease transmission within healthcare facilities were reinforced; and a communication plan was developed. In May 2004, Romania is introducing measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for routine vaccination of children aged 12 to 15 months, while continuing vaccination of girls in the 8th grade of school (13-14 years of age) with rubella-only vaccine.