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

Blog Article

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%) icon track bar f250 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 read more 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 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.