Minnesota Reports First Case of Rubella in Nine Years
The Star Tribune reported that according to Minnesota health officials, a Twin Cities woman has rubella, also known as German measles, and is the first case of rubella in Minnesota in nine years.
The woman, who has not been identified, is in her 30s and has not been vaccinated against rubella. She is now recovering, Kris Ehresmann, head of the state immunization program, said.
Rubella is an infection, which causes a rash, low fever, cough and swollen glands. It is most threatening to pregnant women and their unborn children.
Since 1992, only six cases have been reported in Minnesota, the health department said. The last reported case in Minnesota was in 2000.
"We used to see dozens and hundreds and thousands of cases in the prevaccine era," Ehresmann said.
A vaccine for Rubella is available, but some parents have refused to vaccinate their children, in fear the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is linked to autism. That link has not been proven.
The Health Department is encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated, in order to prevent illness and spread of the infectious disease.
"Clearly when we let our guards down in terms of vaccination, it allows the disease to regain a foothold," Ehresmann said.