Rubella virus

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dima Nimri, M.D. [2]

Overview

Rubella virus is a single stranded, positive sense RNA virus (ssRNA). It is the only member of the genus Rubivirus belongs to the family of Togaviridae. Rubella virus is only known to infect humans, and it is responsible for causing the common childhood Rubella infection. Rubella infection is also known as German Measles or Three Day Measles. The most devastating consequence is when Rubella virus infects pregnant women during their first trimester, as it may result in congenital rubella syndrome in the newborn. Rubella infection has largely been eradicated in the developed world since the introduction of the MMR vaccine. However, it is still a challenge in many parts of the developing world due to cost and availability of the MMR vaccine.