Rubella in Poland in 2018

Rubella is the disease subject to the elimination programme coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Generally, rubella is an infection of mild course among children but in the case of pregnant women, who are not immunized, the probability of the occurrence of severe congenital abnormalities (congenital rubella syndrome) may amount to 95%. The strategy of the countries belonging to the WHO European Region is directed to the interruption of the rubella virus transmission in the environment in order to prevent the cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

The aims of the present article are to analyze the epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2018 and to discuss the rubella vaccination coverage.

The epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland was analyzed on the basis of publications: "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2018" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2018".

In 2018, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases - with registered 437 cases (in 2017 - 476 cases) - and a decline in incidence (from 1.2 per 100 000 to 1.1). The highest incidence rate, regardless of gender and the environment, was observed among children aged 0-4 years (9.8 per 100,000). In 2018, no cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered.

In 2018, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases. In Poland Rubella is reported exclusively on the basis of the clinical picture. The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland.