Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a highly contagious disease caused by the rubella virus. It was once a common childhood disease, but due to routine vaccination programs, the risk of getting rubella in Canada is now very low.
Getting rubella is most dangerous in early pregnancy as it can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. Pregnant individuals who get rubella have a 90% chance of passing the virus to their developing baby who may then be born with severe birth defects such as:
This is called Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), which happens in 9 out of 10 babies born to individuals who are infected with rubella in the first 3 months of pregnancy. The risk of CRS is low likely due to routine vaccination and low transmission of the virus.
Vaccination makes it unlikely for children, pregnant individuals, and others to get rubella. Most cases in Canada are travel-related since rubella vaccination is not routine across the world.
Rubella spreads from respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks.
An infected person can spread rubella to others about one week before they develop the common symptom of a rash, which is often before they know they are sick, and for the first four days after the rash appears.
Symptoms may start 14 to 21 days after exposure, but some people, especially children, may not show any symptoms.
Symptoms include:
Getting rubella can sometimes cause serious problems, including:
Getting vaccinated against rubella is safe and the best way to protect yourself and your child(ren) against the disease. Rubella vaccination is part of Ontario's Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule.
The rubella vaccine is given in two doses as part of vaccination against measles, mumps, and varicella (chickenpox). Over 97 per cent of individuals develop immunity against rubella after one dose of vaccine.
See the MMR and MMRV vaccine fact sheet for more information.
If you or your child(ren) were in close contact with someone with rubella, watch for symptoms for 21 days after your last contact with that person.
If you think you or your child(ren) may have rubella, it is important to:
People diagnosed with rubella or suspected of having it should stay home from child care, school or work for seven days after the rash appears and should not participate in group activities or have visitors.
Health care providers diagnose rubella based on:
Diagnosis is confirmed using laboratory testing. Rubella tests are available, using blood, urine or nasal swabs, to confirm diagnosis or immunity. Testing to confirm immunity after vaccination is not usually recommended. If you have proof of vaccination, history of a laboratory confirmed infection or laboratory confirmed immunity, you are considered immune to rubella.
There is currently no treatment for rubella. Mild infections usually get better on their own, and by drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthy foods to help fight the infection. Health care providers may prescribe medication to reduce fever.
If you are not immune to rubella and have been exposed, getting the rubella vaccine does not prevent infection or reduce the risk of severe illness. However, it can provide protection against getting an infection in the future. If you are pregnant and have been exposed to rubella, contact a health care provider immediately.
Rubella is a disease of public health significance and must be reported to Toronto Public Health by schools and child care centres and health care providers.