Seroprevalence of Rubella in Nepal

Abstract

Rubella is a viral illness caused by Rubella virus of genus Rubivirus, family Togaviridae.The diseaseis characterized with mild fever and maculopapular rash. Suchrashes are often termed clinically as measles. The public health importance of rubellarelates to the teratogenic effects when rubella infection is acquired in early months of pregnancy. This study was designed to estimate seroprevalence of rubella in Nepalese population based at NPHL, on the serum samples received through WHO-IPD-DOH Scollaborative vaccine preventable disease surveillance program.All the testing was carried out using standard protocol. During2006,serum samples of 213 suspected rubella/measles cases(fever with rash)collected from different parts of the country were tested. The anti-Rubella IgM positivity was found to be 49.3%.The suspected rubella cases were higher in male(55.14% of total) but the positive cases were found higher in female (52.38% of total positive).Out of total positive cases, the highest positive cases (46.67%) were from the age group 5-10 years followed by 28.57% from age group bellow 5 years, 17.17% from10-15 years and 7.62%from> 15.Rubella positive cases were noted from 16 districts with the highest positive cases from Bhaktapur (14, 13.33%) followed by Rauthat (10,9.52%), Bara (8, 7.62%) and Dadeldhura (8, 7.62%). The highest suspected cases were reported from CDR (131 cases) with 58 positive cases (55.24% of total positive). The rubella cases were highest in spring season (61, 58.1%) followed by winter season (31,29.52%).The Rubella cases were highest in March (30/61 cases) followed by February(18/28 cases), April (18/24 cases), January (13/26 cases) and May (13/27 cases).Out of total positive cases, 92 cases (87.62%) were clustered in the first five months of the year.No positive cases were observed during July, August, October and December.The above figures and facts from the present study suggest that our country is in potential risk for rubella.So, there is an urgent need to introduce rubella containing vaccine in country immunization program. Key words:rubella, serum, immunization