An outbreak of congenital rubella

A large outbreak of rubella occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area in early 1979. Later that year and in early 1980, 13 cases of confirmed or probable congenital rubella syndrome were reported. Results of a subsequent investigation strongly suggest that these two events were related in a causal manner and do not represent an indirect association based on changes in diagnostic or reporting thoroughness. To prevent such episodes in the future, renewed emphasis must be placed on routine immunization of young children of both sexes, rigorous enforcement of school-entry immunization laws and selective immunization of women of childbearing age.