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Rubella Exposure in an Obstetric Clinic

From the Infectious Disease Division of the Medical Service, Coney Island Hospital, Brooklyn, and the Virus Diagnostic Unit, New York City Department of Health, Public Health Laboratories, New York, New York

Abstract

Despite a massive national rubella immunization program, rubella infection remains a public health problem. When a nurse employed in a hospital-based obstetric clinic became ill with rubella, a crisis was precipitated. The hospital staff implemented a plan to inform the exposed 151 patients and 44 employees of the potential danger to themselves and their fetuses. To identify persons at risk, a program of rubella antibody testing of contacts was instituted. In 3 distinct attempts to obtain blood specimens, patient compliance rates fell progressively from 79 to 14%. One additional infected employee was detected. A list of recommendations designed to prevent or lessen the impact of future rubella exposures in hospitals is presented.

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