Epidemiological characteristics of rubella detected by measles surveillance system in Minhang district in Shanghai, 2004 - 2010

Objective To understand the epidemiology of rubella in Minhang district and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of rubella. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of rubella obtained from measles surveillance system f in Minhang from 2004 to 2009. Results The average annual incidence of rubella was 1.06/lakh during this period. The incidence peak was during April-June of a year, the cases occurred during this period accounted for 84.21% of the total cases. The cases among local population aged 20-29 and 30-39 years accounted for 25.64% and 53.85% of the total respectively. The cases in floating population were mainly distributed in age groups of 5-9, 10-14 and 20-29 years old, accounting for 31.91%, 11.70% and 35.11% of the total respectively. The cases in child bearing aged women (15-49 years old) accounted for 62.26% of the total cases in females. Conclusion Young adults and the children in floating population were the risk populations to be infected with rubella. It is necessary to strengthen the health education and conduct re-vaccination of measles and rubella among these populations.