Rubella virus among pregnant women

Rubella is a contagious viral respiratory tract infection transmitted via airborne droplets. The virus in pregnant women causes miscarriage or stillbirth and/or serious birth defects and chronic diseases collectively called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). The risk of congenital defects following maternal rubella infection reaches up to 90%.Worldwide it is estimated that more than 110000 infants are born with congenital rubella syndrome each year. Most of these cases occur in developing countries that have not yet introduced rubella vaccine. There are no recent studies conducted to assess the burden of rubella infection on pregnant women and CRS in Ethiopia.