According to recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Virology, 'Unlike its devastating teratogenic effects, post-natal infection with rubella typically causes subclinical or inapparent illness. While rubella has been largely eliminated from the United States following the introduction of an efficacious live-attenuated vaccine in 1969, a small proportion of the population remains susceptible.'
'Recent declining vaccination rates have resulted in a rising incidence of sporadic and outbreak-associated measles, reminding us that an increasing proportion of the population is also susceptible to, and may be reservoirs of transmission for, rubella. We describe two rare adult cases with no clear exposure,' wrote J.K. Louie and colleagues (see also German Measles).
The researchers concluded: 'These cases serve as a reminder that clinicians should remain vigilant and consider rubella infection in susceptible patients. including older adults, presenting with febrile rash illness. .'
Louie and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Clinical Virology (Re-emergence of another vaccine-preventable disease?-Two cases of rubella in older adults Journal of Clinical Virology, 2009;46(1):98-100).
For additional information, contact J.K. Louie, California Dept. of Public Health, Viral & Rickettsial Diseases Laboratory, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Clinical Virology is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Keywords: United States, Richmond, German Measles, Biotechnology, Clinical Virology, Immunization, Measles, Preventable Disease, Rubella, Vaccination, Vaccines.
This article was prepared by Vaccine Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Vaccine Weekly via NewsRx.com.
