Rubella in Poland in 2013.

Thursday, 16th of June 2016

Przegl Epidemiol. 2015;69(2):213-8 341-3.

Rubella in Poland in 2013.

[Article in English Polish]

Korczyńska MR¹ Paradowska-Stankiewicz I¹.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In 2004 Poland has adopted the WHO goal of rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome prevention. The main target of the Programme is to stop transmission of the virus in the environment and prevention of congenital rubella in children. This can be achieved by carrying out the vaccination. Participation in the rubella elimination program requires clinical diagnosis of rubella cases and their confirmation with laboratory test. In Poland until 2003 national vaccination recommendation included a dose of rubella vaccine only for girls aged 13 years. Among men the incidence of measles remained high creating a risk of infection of non-immune pregnant women which may lead to the development of congenital rubella syndrome in the child.

AIM:

To assess epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2013 including vaccination coverage in Polish population.

METHODS:

The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013" (MP. Czarkowski Warszawa 2014 NIZP-PZH GIS).

RESULTS:

In 2013 there was big epidemic of rubella in Poland--with 38548 registered cases (6 times more than in 2012) incidence 84.4 per 100000 (5 times higher than in the previous year). The highest incidence rate regardless of gender and the environment was observed among adolescents aged 15-19 years (911.6 per 100000). The incidence of rubella in boys and men was significantly higher than the incidence in girls and women (181.4 versus 23.9). In 2013 two cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS:

Rubella epidemic which occurred in Poland in 2013 was the result of use in the past vaccination against rubella only for girls 13 years of age. The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland. In 2013 only 0.2% of rubella cases were laboratory confirmed.