Rubella case counts in Japan and Poland continue to rise
The number of rubella (German measles) cases in both Japan and Poland continue to climb as the latest numbers were released Wednesday.
As of August 21, 2013, 13,747 rubella cases have been reported in Japan during 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number is up more than 5,000 cases from May 29, 2013 when 8,500 cases were reported.
Numbers of rubella cases have been highest in Osaka and Tokyo Metropolis Prefectures. The peak period for rubella is spring to summer in Japan.
In Europe, the entire country of Poland is affected by a rubella outbreak.
As of August 31, 2013, a total of 36,440 cases of rubella have been reported in Poland since the beginning of 2013, the CDC reports. This is up more than 10,000 cases when on June 19, 2013, more than 26,000 cases of rubella were reported.
Rubella is a disease spread by the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Symptoms include rash and fever for 2 to 3 days. Some people do not feel sick. If a pregnant woman gets rubella virus, her baby could have birth defects such as deafness, cataracts, heart defects, mental disabilities, and organ damage.
Rubella can be prevented through vaccination.
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[…] Rubella case counts in Japan and Poland continue to riseThe Global DispatchRubella is a disease spread by the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Symptoms include rash and fever for 2 to 3 days. Some people do not feel sick. If a pregnant woman gets rubella virus, her baby could have birth defects such as deafness … […]