The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel alerts for Japan and Poland following the increased number of reported rubella cases in both countries. The Level 2 alert cautions travelers to practice enhanced precaution, giving important information especially to susceptible pregnant women.

As of May 29, 2013, over 8,500 laboratory-confirmed rubella cases have been reported in Japan during 2013. And in Poland, more than 26,000 cases of rubella have been reported since the beginning of 2013.

CDC recommends that all travelers to Japan and Poland protect themselves from rubella by being up-to-date on their rubella vaccine. Pregnant women who are not protected against rubella either through vaccination or previous rubella infection should avoid traveling to Japan and Poland during this outbreak.  This is especially important during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. When rubella infection occurs during early pregnancy serious consequences—such as miscarriages, stillbirths, and severe birth defects in infants (Congenital rubella syndrome, CRS) can result. As many as 85 of 100 babies born to mothers who had rubella in the first 3 months of her pregnancy will have a birth defect. 

Measles, rubella and CRS are completely preventable through immunization with two safe, effective vaccines, which can be combined into one inexpensive measles-rubella or “MR” vaccine. The Measles & Rubella Partnership is supporting countries and regions to achieve measles and rubella control and elimination goals.

To read the alert in full please see here.