Rubella elimination programme strengthened through measles elimination programme in Catalonia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Catalonia observed a significant decline in rubella incidence following the implementation of the second dose of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1988 and the measles elimination program in 1998.
• This led to the initiation of a dedicated rubella and congenital rubella syndrome elimination program in May 2002, targeting elimination by 2005.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of the rubella and congenital rubella syndrome elimination program in Catalonia.
• To evaluate the epidemiological status of rubella in the region following intensified vaccination and elimination efforts.

Main Methods:

• Surveillance of suspected rubella cases reported to the Statutory Disease Reporting System from May 2002 to May 2004.
• Screening of viruses from suspected cases within the ongoing measles elimination program to identify rubella cases.
• Confirmation of rubella cases through laboratory analysis.

Main Results:

• During the study period, 13 suspected rubella cases were reported, with two confirmed cases (one postnatal, one congenital), both imported.
• An additional six imported postnatal rubella cases were confirmed from 28 potential cases analyzed through the measles elimination program's virus screening.
• The majority of confirmed rubella cases were identified through the measles elimination program's surveillance infrastructure.

Conclusions:

• The low number and imported nature of confirmed rubella cases suggest successful control within Catalonia.
• The integration of rubella surveillance within the measles elimination program is effective in detecting remaining cases.
• Continued support for both the rubella and measles elimination programs is strongly recommended to maintain disease-free status.