When Was the Last Case of Rubella in the United States?

While we rarely hear about rubella anymore, like most other vaccine-preventable diseases, the last case of rubella in the United States was a lot more recent than you probably imagine.

Although endemic rubella and congenital rubella syndrome were declared eliminated in 2004, like measles, we still have cases each year.

When Was the Last Case of Rubella in the United States?

To be sure, rubella is far less common that it used to be.

Remember the rubella epidemics of the 1960s, when rubella caused 2,100 neonatal deaths and 20,000 infants to be born with congenital rubella syndrome?

How about the rubella outbreaks in the early 1990s, when rubella caused 13 deaths and 77 cases of congenital rubella syndrome?

“Rubella is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects. Although rubella virus infection usually causes a mild febrile rash illness in children and adults, infection during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, can result in miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth, or a constellation of birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).”

Grant et al on Progress Toward Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Control and Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2018

One of our problems today is that most people don’t remember these epidemics and outbreaks, so they don’t understand how important it is for everyone to be vaccinated and protected.

They have no idea how fortunate they are that these diseases no longer make routine headlines.

But what happens if too many people skip or delay their vaccines?

We will see more rubella and congenital rubella syndrome.

While we do see some congenital rubella cases now, they are all women who were exposed to rubella outside the United States when they were pregnant.

“During 2001–2004, four CRS cases were reported to CDC; the mothers of three of the children were born outside the United States.”

Achievements in Public Health: Elimination of Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome — United States, 1969–2004

Again, since the endemic spread of rubella was declared eliminated in 2004, cases since then are import related. People who aren’t immune get exposed to rubella when they are traveling to areas of the world where rubella is more common and return. Fortunately, since rubella isn’t as contagious as measles, these cases don’t usually cause big outbreaks.

So when was the last case of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome in the United States that wasn’t imported from outside the United States?

It was just before 2004.

Let’s get everyone vaccinated and protected before we see the next case.

More on Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome

• Japan’s Rubella Outbreak Should Be a Warning About What Could Happen Here
• Did Your Rubella Titer Come Back Negative?
• Did Pediatricians Ever Encourage Parents to Have Measles Parties?
• Grave Reminders of Life Before Vaccines
• More Questions to Help You Become a Vaccine Skeptic
• MMWR – Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions — United States
• MMWR – Achievements in Public Health: Elimination of Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome — United States, 1969–2004
• Rubella and the History of Vaccines
• MMWR – Progress Toward Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Control and Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2018
• MMWR – Three Cases of Congenital Rubella Syndrome in the Postelimination Era — Maryland, Alabama, and Illinois, 2012
• MMWR – Congenital Rubella Syndrome Among the Amish — Pennsylvania, 1991-1992
• Unprotected People Stories Involving Rubella
• Norman McAlister Gregg and the Discovery of Congenital Rubella Syndrome