Rubella Vaccines

Measles and Rubella Diagnostic and Classification Challenges in Near- and Post-Elimination Countries

“…Additional diagnostic testing for this case would rely on serological methods. Molecular detection of rubella could be attempted in this case, although the detection window for rubella using rRT-PCR is relatively narrow; rubella RNA is reliably detected for at least 4 days after rash onset [27]. However, detection of rubella RNA can occur further out from rash onset in some instances; in one study, up to 50% of oropharyngeal specimens were positive using RT-PCR around day 8-9 after rash onset [28].…”

“…The diagnosis of acute rubella during pregnancy is critical in identifying congenital rubella syndrome, which can occur regardless of the clinical severity of maternal infection [26]. The diagnosis of rubella is also complicated by the high proportion of cases that may be asymptomatic [27].…”

A World without Measles and Rubella: Addressing the Challenge of Vaccine Hesitancy

“…Before the development and widespread availability of vaccines in the late 20th century, measles and rubella plagued humanity for thousands of years, with no effective tools to prevent their consequences [ 4 , 5 ]. Measles disease was first described in the 7th century, although the infectious pathogen would not be identified until the early 20th century [ 5 ].…”

“…While some individuals have a resolution of these symptoms, many will develop complications, including diarrhea, otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or death. Rubella was initially thought to be a variant of measles but was first identified as a separate disease in 1814 [ 4 ]. Rubella is a viral disease that begins with a prodrome of mild fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy, and upper respiratory symptoms before the appearance of a maculopapular rash [ 6 ].…”

“…Measles is estimated to have caused greater than 2–3 million deaths worldwide every year before the availability of vaccines [ 5 ]. While precise historical estimates of the public health burden of rubella are lacking, during the last major rubella epidemic in the United States in 1964–1965, there were an estimated 12.5 million rubella cases with 30,000 affected pregnancies leading to 6250 spontaneous abortions and 2100 newborns who died at or shortly after birth [ 4 ]. Another 20,000 children were born with CRS, resulting in approximately 11,600 infants who were deaf, 3580 who were blind, and 1800 who were mentally disabled.…”