Manual on meat inspection for developing countries

State Records First Rubella Case Since 2000

Health officials have confirmed the first reported case of rubella in Minnesota since 2000.

The illness was reported in a woman in her thirties from the Twin City metro area. According to available records, the woman had never been immunized against rubella.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is following up directly with family members and health care workers who might have been exposed to rubella through contact with the woman who developed the illness.

Although MDH officials stressed that this particular case poses no unusual risk for the general public, they emphasized that controlling vaccine-preventable diseases like rubella continues to be a significant public health challenge.

"This case serves as a reminder that these diseases are still out there," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, Minnesota State Epidemiologist. "It's still important for parents to follow standard recommendations, and make sure their children are properly immunized."

Symptoms of rubella – also known as "German measles" – can include a rash, low-grade fever, cough, and swollen glands behind the ears and in the neck. The rash generally appears first on the face and moves from head to foot. The rash usually lasts for about 3 days. Many adults with rubella – especially women – get soreness or swelling of the joints, usually lasting for less than a month.

Some individuals can be infected with the rubella virus without developing any symptoms.

If a pregnant woman is infected with rubella before the 21st week of pregnancy, and she is not immune to the rubella virus, the result can be a serious condition known as congenital rubella syndrome. Although this condition is now rare because of widespread immunization against rubella, it can result in stillbirth, miscarriage, or premature delivery. The consequences for children born to mothers with congenital rubella syndrome can include deafness, mental retardation, and damage to the bones, liver and spleen.

Vaccination against the illness is done with a combination vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Children should get their initial round of MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age, with a booster dose at age 4-6. MMR vaccination is also recommended for adults who have never received the vaccine, and especially for women of child bearing age who are not pregnant. Pregnant women who have never been immunized should receive the vaccine as soon as their baby is born.

Originally Published: April 18, 2009 at 4:25 AM CDT

Rep. Greg Martin Pushes For Early Detection Of Health Problems In Pregnant Women With New Bill

State Rep. Greg Martin co-sponsored a bill that mandates blood tests for pregnant women to screen for syphilis, rubella immunity and hepatitis B and C. 

House Bill 111 requires physicians, surgeons, or other authorized health care providers to take a blood sample during a woman's first visit or within 10 days of the initial examination. If the first visit occurs during or after delivery, the tests must be conducted at that time.

"These comprehensive screenings are essential to protecting pregnant women and their babies from serious health problems," Rep. Martin said.

The Tennessee Department of Health reported a 548 percent increase in congenital syphilis cases from 2019 to 2023.

The bill also mandates a second blood sample for syphilis testing between the 28th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy, with an additional sample required at delivery. Rubella immunity testing will not be repeated in future pregnancies once a positive result or documented vaccination history is recorded.

"By increasing early detection, we can take proactive steps to prevent complications and ensure healthier pregnancies and deliveries," Rep. Martin said.

The legislation also requires health care providers to report all positive test results for syphilis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C to the local health department, in compliance with state regulations on communicable disease control.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 53 percent of babies diagnosed with CS in 2022 and 2023 could have been prevented with timely screening. Of those cases, 43 percent of mothers had no testing or were tested too late, and 10 percent of mothers who tested negative in the first trimester were not retested later, by which time they had acquired syphilis.

House Bill 111 will be heard in the Health Committee on Feb. 25. 

Fighting Japan's Rubella Outbreak

Japanese were shocked last week when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised its advisory on Japan's rubella outbreak to an "alert," the second highest level. It advised travelers to ensure they were vaccinated for the virus before entering the country. It warned that pregnant women not protected by vaccination or previous infection should not travel to Japan.

The State of the Outbreak

Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases says 197 cases were reported in the week up to October 24th, pushing up the total for the year to 1,486.

By prefecture, 509 people have been infected in Tokyo, 251 in Chiba and 195 in Kanagawa. That puts more than 70 percent of the cases in Tokyo and neighboring prefectures.

The number of men infected stands at 1,189. That's about 5 times more than women, at 233. The men are mostly in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Why men in these age groups

Health regulations in place from 1977 to 1995 required only that junior high school girls be vaccinated for rubella, making boys of those generations, now between the ages of 30 and 60, vulnerable to infection.

Rubella is a viral infection, causing fever and rashes. Women infected during pregnancy put the fetus at risk of eye, ear or heart disorders.

Health officials in Japan are recommending vaccination for all males in the relevant age groups who have never had the virus, or have no record of vaccination. Vaccination is also recommended for anyone in frequent contact with a pregnant woman, and for women who are planning to have children.

Tackling the Problem on all Fronts

The Tokyo prefectural government announced last week that it would foot the bill for testing immunity to Rubella for those eligible. The test is being offered to men living with a pregnant women and women of child-bearing age.

The Kanagawa Prefectural government is trying to raise awareness about Rubella and prevent more infections. It's showing an online video entitled, "The ideal man is the one who's vaccinated."

Some companies are offering financial support for employees needing vaccination. One firm is funding 70 percent of the cost of vaccination, which is about 90 dollars per person.

One of the opposition parties in the Diet, the Democratic Party For the People, arranged on Tuesday for vaccination of their parliament members and staff. Party President Yuichiro Tamaki is 49 and is urging all men in the relevant age groups to get vaccinated.

Japan's health ministry says the US is the only country, so far, advising pregnant women not to travel to Japan.

The World Health Organization noted in 2015 that the Americas were the first region to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. It has also pointed out that 42 countries still have not introduced the vaccine, emphasizing that outbreaks are preventable.

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