Rubella, better known as German measles, a dreaded disease that contributes hugely to childhood infections and congenital birth complications, has been eradicated from United States and Canada, health authorities of the two countries have said.
Speaking at a conference held at Washington, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Julie Gerberding said, “This is a major milestone in the path toward eliminating rubella in other parts of the world, including the Western Hemisphere.” However, she asserted the need for taking rubella vaccines since the latest cases of the disease have been contracted by unvaccinated people due to travel to countries where the disease is still present. “As long as there is rubella anywhere in the world, there could be rubella in our children,” she added.
Canada’s Public Health Agency’s Theresa Tam said, “Rubella is quite prevalent in other parts of the world. And if we let our guard down, we allow some susceptible populations to build up in Canada. It only takes one introduction and we could have an outbreak.” She maintained that keeping vaccination against rubella at its topmost levels is very important. Canada, however, is yet to declare the disease completely eradicated from the country due to the fact that it has not officially tracked the occurrence of the disease.
Around 93 per cent of children in the United States and 96 per cent in Canada are vaccinated against rubella before the age of two years.
The disease, when contracted by children, shows symptoms akin to measles but with lower intensity. However, if rubella afflicts a pregnant woman, the complications are greater resulting in stillborn babies, miscarriages, and even foetal deformities like cataract, congenital heart problems, hearing impairment, liver damage, and mental retardation. Such an affliction is called congenital rubella syndrome.
In 2004, nine cases of rubella were reported in United States, while Canada posted seven cases in, all originating from travel to other countries.
Cuba became the first country to declare itself rubella-free status back in 1995.
