Rubella
Rubella Fact Sheet (PDF 18 KB)
Rubella (German measles) is a rash illness
that is caused by the Rubella virus. It can spread from person-to-person, but
it is not as contagious as measles and chickenpox. The disease is most
contagious when the rash is erupting, but the virus can be spread from 7
days before, to 5-7 days after the rash begins.
Rubella is usually a mild disease in children; adults tend to experience more
complications. The main concern with rubella disease is congenital rubella
syndrome (CRS). Rubella infection in the first trimester of pregnancy can lead to
fetal death, premature delivery, and serious birth defects.
Due to good immunization coverage, rubella is rare in the United States
at the present time; however, outbreaks continue to occur in groups of
people who refuse immunization for religious or other reasons. It can also
occur among some foreign-born immigrants, who come from areas where rubella
vaccine is not routinely used. Rubella can be imported into the United
States at any time, and it continues to occur worldwide.
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