It has been three years since a case of rubella was reported in the Riverina, with the disease now also officially eliminated from Australia.
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The Murrumbidgee Local Health District’s public health unit is celebrating the World Health Organisation’s verification that Australia has eliminated rubella.
Rubella is an infectious viral disease which can be mild but, in unborn babies, can cause serious heath issues.
Public health unit director Tracey Oakman said rubella’s elimination from Australia is a testament to the benefits of child immunisation.
“No cases of rubella have been reported in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District since 2015,” Mrs Oakman said.
“Our vaccination program against rubella has been very effective.
“The best protection against rubella is vaccination. In NSW it is given as part of the immunisation schedule known as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) at 12 months of age and MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) at 18 months.
“I urge all parents and carers to get their children immunised as a simple and safe way of protecting their children and the community against preventable diseases.”
