Rubella
Alternate name: German measles
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Fact sheet - Health conditions directory
For most people, rubella is a mild illness caused by the rubella virus. However, rubella can cause serious birth defects if infection occurs during pregnancy. However, as not all cases get symptoms or are notified, the actual number is likely to have been higher. Since the introduction of an effective vaccine, rubella mainly occurs in young unimmunised children, or in adolescents and young adults who have received less than two doses of the vaccine.
Public health management guidelines
Notification
Pathology laboratories
Notification resources
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions
- List of Public Health Unit contacts
- Notifiable conditions report form for Queensland doctors/clinicians (PHA S70) or person in charge of a Hospital (PHA S71) (PDF, 77kB) - if faxing notification, follow up by phone.
Enhanced surveillance for public health units
- Case report form (PDF, 262KB) - used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Resources for health professionals
Immunisation
- Australian immunisation handbook - provides clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
- Immunisation – Queensland Health website for health professionals.
Epidemiological data and reports
Last updated: 5 June 2023
