Epidemiological characteristics of rubella in Yantai city in Shandong province, 2000 - 2009

Objective To understand the incidence trend of rubella in Yantai and provide evidence for the better prevention and control of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted on the incidence data of rubella from 2000 to 2009 reported through the special reporting system of measles. Results Totally 398 rubella cases occurred from 2000 to 2009 with the average annual incidence of 0.61/lakh,rubella epidemic occurred every 4-5 years and the incidences in 2002 and 2006 were high. The incidence peak was during April-May of a year. The disease mainly occurred in children aged15 years from 2001 to 2005 (66.67%) and in people aged 15-24 years from 2006 to 2009 (88.69%). Up to 82.41% of the outbreaks occurred in schools and 15.74% in enterprises. Conclusion The intensity of rubella epidemic increased and the affected area expanded. The high incidence was observed in eastern area and western area alternately. The overall incidence was influenced by local outbreak. After the implementation of rubella immunization strategy, the people in older age group were more often affected by the disease, which increased the risk of contracting rubella in child bearing aged women. It is necessary to improve the rubella immunization strategy in child bearing period to reduce the risk of rubella in susceptible population, prevent and control rubella outbreak and reduce the incidence of GRS.