Context:
On August 18, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared Nepal free of rubella as a public health problem. This achievement makes Nepal the first country in WHO’s Southeast Asia Region to reach this milestone.

About Rubella:

• What is Rubella?
  Also known as German measles, rubella is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the rubella virus. It spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
• Risks:
  Particularly dangerous for pregnant women, rubella infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which causes severe birth defects in infants.
• Symptoms:
  Mild fever, rash beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and general tiredness. Many cases show no symptoms, making detection difficult.
• Treatment:
  There is no specific antiviral cure; treatment focuses on supportive care such as rest, hydration, and managing fever.
• Prevention:
  Immunisation with the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) is the primary prevention method.

India’s Status:
India continues to report sporadic rubella cases but prioritizes its elimination. The Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign, launched in 2017, targets vaccinating all children aged 9 months to 15 years, aiming to eliminate both diseases by 2023–24 in line with WHO’s Southeast Asia Regional goals.

Source: DTE