First Case of Rubella Confirmed in Austin
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, oh my! The first case of Rubella since 1999 has been confirmed in Austin, Texas.
According to a press release from the city of Austin, a person living in Travis county has been diagnosed with Rubella. This confirmed case of Rubella comes less than a month after the first case of Measles confirmed in Austin.
Fortunately, Rubella is covered under the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine and according to the CDC, Rubella was eliminated from the United States in 2004. Get where I'm going?
Currently, there are less than 10 cases per year nationwide, and most Rubella cases have been linked to international travel. The medical director for Austin Public Health, Dr. Mark Escott, is urging the public to "“Please, check if you and your family are up-to-date on vaccinations to prevent the comeback of these previously eliminated diseases.”
Pregnant women and children need to be vaccinated against Rubella to protect themselves and prevent widespread infection. While Rubella is less contagious than Measles, the infection is still primarily spread through contact. AKA disinfect everything and have your hand sanitizer ready.
Symptoms for Rubella include:
- a red rash
- low grade fever
- headache
- mild pink eye
- swollen lymph nodes
- cough or runny nose
If you think you may have been exposed to the virus and are not vaccinated, you should contact your doctor immediately.