Incidence of rubella in a state in North-western Nigeria: a call for action

Incidence of rubella in a state in North-western Nigeria: a call for action

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Collections INTRODUCTION: rubella cases are often under-reported, especially in many developing countries, owing to inadequate attention and weak funding of elimination strategies, despite being an epidemic-prone disease.Therefore, the paper seeks to bring attention of public health practitioners, researchers and policy makers to threats of rubella and recommended measure to mitigate these threats.METHODS: a retrospective cross-sectional study in which laboratory results of febrile-rash-illness cases in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria, from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015 captured through Integrated Disease Surveillance System and Response were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.RESULTS: a total of 413 febrile rash cases were reported and investigated in 2014-2015, 5 (3.

5%) tested positive for rubella IgM in 2014 while 7 (2.6%) were positive in 2015 in Kebbi State.There is no statistically significant difference in the incidence of rubella between 2014 and 2015 (p= 0.05).

Rubella infection is mainly found in children less than 5 years of age with peak incidence period during the hot season (between February and April).There was no significant sex bias in this study.However, our practice experiences in this environment suggest a systematic under-reporting and under-diagnosis of febrile- rash-illnesses.CONCLUSION: there is no statistically significant difference in the incidence of rubella in children in our setting for the 2-years studied.

However, there Dish Brushes is a potential of increase in the transmission of the disease due to non-availability of routine childhood vaccination against rubella and under-reporting of suspected cases.In order to better appreciate the burden of rubella infection, there may be a need to undertake a prevalence survey and simultaneously, strengthening case-based surveillance in Northern Nigeria.Further, WHO should support national government in accelerating the introduction of rubella-containing vaccine to stem the potential spread of this infectious disease.