Rubella is a viral infection transmitted from person to person by droplets via coughs and sneezes. In healthy individuals it is usually a mild disease. Up to 50 % of individuals infected with rubella may not show symptoms. However, if a woman gets rubella shortly before getting pregnant or during the first three months of pregnancy, it is very likely to result in miscarriage or congenital anomalies known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
Immunisation is the only effective method of prevention. Mumps vaccine is given in the form of the combined trivalent measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine in all European countries with a first dose at or before 18 months of age. The timing of the second dose varies across countries.
In 2014, 11 069 cases of mumps were reported to TESSy. The notification rate was 2.5 cases per 100 000 population, less than half the notification rate observed in 2012 and 2013.
Illnesses caused by infectious diseases are common in children in schools or other childcare settings. Currently there is no common EU approach to the control of communicable diseases in schools or other childcare settings, and existing information is uncertain.
The Annual Epidemiological Report 2014 gives an overview of the epidemiology of communicable diseases of public health significance in Europe, drawn from surveillance information on the 52 communicable diseases and health issues for which surveillance is mandatory in the European Union and European Economic Area countries.
The goal of this project is to support EU Member States in their fight against measles and rubella. This report should enable Member States to engage in effective, evidence-based risk communication.
Congenital rubella is the infection of a foetus with rubella virus following the infection of the mother during pregnancy. ‘Congenital’ indicates that the foetus also becomes infected during pregnancy.