Rubella Eliminated in US, CDC Says; Caused Tens of 1000s of Birth Defects, Miscarriages in 1960s Outbreak

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 23 Mar 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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Rubella, a virus known to cause birth defects, miscarriages and stillbirths when contracted during pregnancy -- has been eliminated through vaccination in the United States, but worldwide eradication still is a "long way off,..." CDC announced on Monday, the Los Angeles Times reports. Although rubella, which also is known as German measles, causes only a rash and fever in most adults, it can be dangerous for pregnant women, the Times reports. If a woman contracts the virus during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects, such as deafness, cataracts, heart problems, liver and spleen damage and mental retardation, according to the Times (Castelli, Los Angeles Times, 3/22). In 1964 and 1965, a rubella outbreak in the United States caused about 12.5 million cases of the virus, resulting in 11,250 miscarriages and stillbirths, 2,100 newborn deaths, 11,600 cases of infant deafness, 3,580 cases of infant blindness and 1,800 cases of infant mental retardation (Reuters/Boston Globe, 3/22). In addition, approximately 5,000 abortions -- some legal and some not -- resulted from the rubella epidemic, according to the Post. As a result, several states relaxed their abortion laws, and the U.S. Congress passed the first federal program to help pay for medical services for infants born severely handicapped, the Post reports (Washington Post, 3/21).

Immunization Now Routine
However, since the 1969 development of a rubella vaccine, the immunization has been given routinely to infants and children as part of the MMR -- measles, mumps and rubella -- vaccine trio, according to Reuters/Boston Globe (Reuters/Boston Globe, 3/22). Approximately 93% of U.S. children under the age of three have been immunized for rubella, according to CDC. Overall, fewer than 10 cases of rubella are reported in the United States annually, and all reported cases since 2002 have originated in other countries, according to CDC. As a result, the entire U.S. population is now considered to be "virtually" immune to the disease, according to the Washington Post (Brown, Washington Post, 3/21).

Worldwide, Reaction
CDC Director Julie Gerberding said that elimination of the disease in the United States is not the same as eradicating the disease, according to VOA News. "The goal in the United States ultimately is to have all children vaccinated effectively against rubella and the other vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses because we are at constant risk for reintroduction of the virus from other parts of the world," Gerberding said, adding, "We cannot afford to relax our emphasis on immunization now" (McAlary, VOA News, 3/22). However, Gerberding said eliminating rubella in the United States is a "tremendous step in protecting the health and well-being of pregnant women and infants," adding, "A disease that once seriously harmed tens of thousands of infants is no longer a major health threat, thanks to a safe and effective vaccine and successful immunization programs across the country" (CDC release, 3/21). According to Steve Cochi, head of CDC's National Immunization Program, worldwide eradication of the disease is "possible" but is not on the "front burner" because of "other medical priorities," USA Today reports. "Right now, the world needs to focus its resources on completing polio eradication and the initiative to reduce measles deaths," Cochi said (Manning, USA Today, 3/21).

NPR's "All Things Considered" on Monday reported on the U.S. elimination of rubella. The segment includes comments from Gerberding and Mirta Roses Periago, regional director of the Pan American Health Organization (Silberner, "All Things Considered," NPR, 3/21). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer.

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