Dr Fong: Fiji Has Two Confirmed Cases Of Rubella

Permanent Secretary for Health, Fiji Jas Two Confirmed Cases Of Rubella, said they have received suspected cases of rubella in the country, but during testing it returned negative.

However, only two tests returned positive, Dr Fong confirmed yesterday.

"There is no need to be alarmed with the two confirmed cases of rubella in the country," he said.

"The prevention of fatal infection was for people to get their rubella immunisation."

Rubella is an acute, contagious viral infection. The rubella virus is transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough. Humans are the only known host.

Dr Fong also said the ministry was conducting supplementary immunisations activities nationwide to mitigate the impact of the reported cases.

"Globally, the Word Health Organisation has expressed concern regarding falls in non- COVID immunisation rates due to the pandemic rates due to the pandemic. We have seen the manifest in a number of  developed countries," he said.

WHO said rubella would give rise to a mild exanthematous illness, accompanied by few constitutional symptoms, and occurs most commonly in childhood.

If the infection occurs in a woman in early pregnancy, WHO said the virus could cross the placenta to reach the fetus, in which the infection could induce birth defects.

It also said these defects may be serious and permanent and include congenital heart disease, cataract formation, deafness and mental retardation.

WHO recommends that all countries that have not yet introduced rubella vaccine should consider doing so using existing, well-established measles immunisation programmes.

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