Rubella Outbreak Investigation in Wombera and Dibate District, Metekel Zone, Benshangul Gumuz Region, January, 2013

Abstract

Negga Asamene Abera, Rajiha Abuboker, Amete Mihret and Degefu Beyene

Background Rubella or German measles was considered as a mild and benign viral disease of childhood until 1941 when Norman Gregg, an ophthalmologist reported an epidemic of congenital cataracts associated with other congenital defects in children born to the mothers who had rubella during their pregnancies. It presents as a mild febrile rash illness in adults and children. The objective of the investigations was to evaluate the level of intervention and to identify the possible root of introduction of the disease and to check the possible reason of expansion in the district.

Materials and Methods Discussions with regional, zonal and district health office staffs and health facility headsb were made structured questioners, In-depth interviews and discussion with the index cases was conducted in both districts. And 15 blood and throat samples were collected from the suspected cases.

Results Since the outbreak, two districts reported 6,820 cases with no deaths. Of the cases, 49% were male while the rest 51% were females. In Dibate District four Kebeles were affected while 19 Kebeles in wombera. The crude attack rate in Dibate was 0.3% while in Wombera was 8.8%. Both sexes were equally affected. From all Cases and controls 80(83%) of them were student. About 94% of them had rash. Of the cases 71% had developed conjunctivitis. Only 15% and 31% of the cases were developed Arthlralgia and Lymphadenophty respectively. Compared to controls; cases that had contacts with patients were developed the infection (AOR=4.6; 95%CI: 1.89-11.51). Of processed samples, 57% were Rubella IGM positive.
Conclusion Considering the indicated cases and also incubation period, it is likely the disease is introduced on late November. Taking in to account the observed risk factor, majority of the cases and attending family members didn’t know how to protect themselves as well as mode of spread. This may attribute to the expansion of the diseases. The outbreak may persist longer period.

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