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Rubella (German measles)

State and Territory information:
  • ACT: (02) 6205 2300
  • NSW: Contact the local Public Health Units (look under "Health" in the White pages)
  • NT: (09) 8922 8315
  • QLD: (07) 3234 1500
  • SA: (08) 8226 7177
  • Tas: 1800 671 738 - (Tasmania Only) | (03) 6222 7724 - (Outside Tasmania)
  • Vic: 1300 882 008
  • WA: (08) 9321 1312

Caused by a virus, symptoms of rubella (German measles) take between 14 and 23 days after infection to show.

The virus is spread from person to person through droplets in the air.

Symptoms are generally mild (especially in children) and may include:

Complications are rare and include encephalitis (brain infection) and low levels of white cells and platelets in blood.

Becoming infected with German measles in the first 8 - 10 weeks of pregnancy can cause abnormalities in the developing baby. These can be severe and include deafness, blindness, heart defects and mental retardation.

Rubella (German measles) is a vaccine preventable disease and immunisation can reduce the number of babies born with abnormalities.

Vaccination recommended for routine childhood immunisation is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded for children under the Immunise Australia Program.

For technical information refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC).

Page last modified: 08 April, 2008