Please be careful! The number of patients infected with German Measles/Rubella is increasing

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(Information of October 10, 2018)

From July 2018, reports on the number of patients that are infected have increased, mainly in the Kanto region, and in Mie prefecture, they are increasing year after year.

Occurrence of patients with Rubella German Measles

(The units represents the number people)　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	＊2018
Mie Prefecture	8	7	1	1	13
Nationwide	319	163	126	93	952

*The number of people in Mie prefecture as of October 7, and nationwide as of September 30 of 2018.

If a woman is infected with Rubella virus until around 20 weeks of pregnancy which is not yet sufficiently immunized against rubella virus, the fetus may be infected and the baby may be born with a disorder in the eyes, heart, ears, etc. (congenital rubella syndrome).

Women who are already pregnant can not receive vaccination against rubella, so it is most effective to receive vaccination before pregnancy. Also, it is better to make sure that people around pregnant woman are vaccinated to eliminate the risk of infection.

What is Rubella?

It is an acute eruptive infection caused by rubella virus. It infects by inhaling the virus that spreads through coughing or sneezing. When infected, symptoms such as fever, rash, lymph node swelling occur after 2 to 3 weeks. Often mild symptoms are experienced by children who are infected, but for adults, the symptoms may continue for a long time or become severe.

Method of treatment

There is no special treatment. For fever, arthritis, etc., symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms are done.

Prevention method

Rubella vaccination is the most effective preventive method. Those who are eligible for regular vaccination (twice) based on the immunization law are eligible for vaccination free of charge.

Target person for routine vaccination

1st term: from 1 year old to 2 years old

2nd term: from 5 years old to 7 years old. Before entering elementary school

* If you are not eligible for routine vaccination, the vaccination is charged.

If you would like to receive a vaccination, please consult your family doctor.

Reference (Japanese only)

Mie ken Iryo Hoken-bu Yakumu Kansen-sho Taisaku-ka Kansen-sho Taisaku-han page:

http://www.pref.mie.lg.jp/YAKUMUS/HP/m0068000016_00001.htm