German Measles

• Rubella -

  • Single-strand RNA.
• Genus: Rubivirus.
• • Member: Togavirus Family.
• • Humans are the only hosts.
• Mode of Transmission

  • Inhaling respiratory droplets.
  • Transplacental Transmission.
• Pathogenesis

  1. Respiratory transmission of virus.
  2. Replicates in nasopharynx and regional lymph nodes.
  3. Viremia 5-7 days after exposure with spread to tissues.
  4. Placenta and fetus infected via hematogenous spread during viremia.
• Laboratory Diagnosis

  • presence of anti-rubella-specific IgM or the enzyme immunoassay (EIA).
• Administration of vaccine (MMR vaccine).

  • First Dose: 12-15 months.
  • Second Dose: 4-6 years old.
• • Major Rubella epidemic in the United States (1964-1965)
• • Rubella vaccination program (1929).
• • Eliminated from the US since 2004.