Congenital rubella infection following rubella outbreak in northern Italy, 2002: Need for an effective vaccination programme

Presented here are the details of a rubella outbreak that occurred in 2002 in the Lombardy region of northern Italy followed by a discussion of rubella vaccination policy in this country. From 13 maternal cases of rubella infection, congenital rubella infection was diagnosed in three fetuses and three newborns. Of the three infected fetuses, one was aborted and two died in utero, while of the three infected newborns, two were born with severe disease and one was subclinically infected. Follow-up revealed that one of the two symptomatic newborns had died at 4 months of age with disseminated rubella infection, while the other suffered from bilateral blindness and deafness and was severely retarded at 15 months of age. The remaining infant remained asymptomatic at 14 months. Congenital rubella remains a serious health problem in Italy and a successful vaccination strategy is required.