Rubella (German Measles)
* Designated Reportable Disease
This is intended as a general guide. Consult a health care provider for diagnosis and for recommendations or advice. Notify the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit if there is a higher than usual number of cases of any disease. To report a case of Rubella, use the Reportable Disease Form or call a public health nurse or public health inspector on the Infectious Disease team at 1-800-660-5853. This disease is vaccine preventable.
How it Spreads
Contact with secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person.
A pregnant woman can pass it on to her baby before birth.
Incubation period *14–21 day.
* Incubation period = Time between contact with disease and start of symptom.
How to Recognize
Mild fever, headache, fatigue, runny nose, red eyes, rash (small red spots that start on the face and cover the body in 24 hours).
When it is Contagious
1 week before and at least 4 days after the rash begins.
When to Report/Exclude
Report to the Health Unit immediately.
Exclude from child care and school for 7 days after rash begins.
Pregnant contacts should be advised to consult with their doctor promptly.