Imported Genotype 2B Rubella Virus Caused the 2012 Outbreak in Anqing City, China.

Zhen Zhu,Jie Song,Guixia Pan,Jihai Tang,Wenbo Xu,Xia Chen,Shujie Zhou,Shuping Chen,Yilun Zheng,Jingjing Dai,Dong-Yan Jin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139173

Abstract

A rubella outbreak occurred in Anqing city of Anhui province, China, from February to July of 2012, and a total of 241 clinically diagnosed or lab-confirmed patients were reported. The highest number of rubella cases during this outbreak was recorded in teenagers between 10 and 19 years of age who had not previously received the rubella vaccine. Genotyping results indicated that the genotype 2B rubella virus (RV) was responsible for the outbreak. However, a phylogenetic analysis showed that the genotype 2B RVs isolated in Anqing City were not related to 2B RVs found in other cities of Anhui province and in other provinces of China, thus providing evidence for importation. After importation, the transmission of Anqing RVs was interrupted owing to an effective immunization campaign against rubella, suggesting the timeliness and effectiveness of contingency vaccination. Strengthening rubella surveillance, including the integration of epidemiologic information and laboratory data, is a vital strategy for rubella control and elimination. In addition, except for routine immunization, targeted supplementary immunization activities aimed at susceptible groups according to sero-epidemiological surveillance data also play a key role in stopping the continuous transmission of rubella viruses and in preventing further congenital rubella syndrome cases.

Highlights

Rubella virus (RV) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus in the family Togaviridae, genus Rubivirus [1]
Based on the systematic RV nomenclature established by the World Health Organization (WHO), a fragment of at least 739 nt within the E1 gene is required for genotype identification and can be used to study viral transmission
On February 25, 2012, a junior high school student from a foreign language school located in the Yixiu district of Anqing city in Anhui province, China, experienced fever and rash and sought treatment in a health center near the school

Summary

Introduction

Rubella virus (RV) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus in the family Togaviridae, genus Rubivirus [1]. RV infections usually cause a mild, self-limiting disease. An infection that occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy may lead to fetal death, miscarriage, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) [1]. Based on the systematic RV nomenclature established by the World Health Organization (WHO), a fragment of at least 739 nt within the E1 gene is required for genotype identification and can be used to study viral transmission. Genotype 2B Rubella Virus in 2012 Anqing Outbreak

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