Objective:To analyse the laboratory surveillance data from 2004 till 2008 to examine the changing trend of rubella cases in Malaysia.Methods:Samples for this study were either received through the measles case based s...Objective:To analyse the laboratory surveillance data from 2004 till 2008 to examine the changing trend of rubella cases in Malaysia.Methods:Samples for this study were either received through the measles case based surveillance program or were hospital cases received for sero-diagnosis of congenital rubella syndrome(CRS). Specific rubella IgM antibody test was carried out on all samples that were negative for measles IgM antibody and for sero-diagnosis of CRS.Results:Through the surveillance program for measles,the samples received for rubella had increased five fold from 365 in 2004 to 1 522 in 2007.Positive rubella cases detected had also increased from 4.1%in 2004 to 33.2%in 2007.The age group 11 to 20 years accounted for 73.6%of rubella cases confirmed in 2008,with a higher incidence among males than females.Positive rubella IgM was detected in 25 CRS cases during the 6 year period between January 2003 and December 2008.Conclusion:The measles elimination program had contributed to significant progress in the control of rubella,with the majority of rubella cases detected through this strategy.Since rubella is not notifiable in Malaysia,this integrated measles and rubella surveillance should be continued.However,to enhance the progress,specific targets should also be established in the national program to eliminate rubella and CRS.展开更多
文摘Objective:To analyse the laboratory surveillance data from 2004 till 2008 to examine the changing trend of rubella cases in Malaysia.Methods:Samples for this study were either received through the measles case based surveillance program or were hospital cases received for sero-diagnosis of congenital rubella syndrome(CRS). Specific rubella IgM antibody test was carried out on all samples that were negative for measles IgM antibody and for sero-diagnosis of CRS.Results:Through the surveillance program for measles,the samples received for rubella had increased five fold from 365 in 2004 to 1 522 in 2007.Positive rubella cases detected had also increased from 4.1%in 2004 to 33.2%in 2007.The age group 11 to 20 years accounted for 73.6%of rubella cases confirmed in 2008,with a higher incidence among males than females.Positive rubella IgM was detected in 25 CRS cases during the 6 year period between January 2003 and December 2008.Conclusion:The measles elimination program had contributed to significant progress in the control of rubella,with the majority of rubella cases detected through this strategy.Since rubella is not notifiable in Malaysia,this integrated measles and rubella surveillance should be continued.However,to enhance the progress,specific targets should also be established in the national program to eliminate rubella and CRS.
