BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov. 3, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – The World Health
Organization (WHO) has recently declared that Brunei is free of rubella
disease as a public health problem.
The rubella virus is highly contagious, but its spread is preventable with
safe and cost-effective vaccines. Initial symptoms among children include
fever and rash.
Also known as German measles, rubella is particularly serious for pregnant
women, as infection can lead to miscarriage or birth defects, including
blindness, deafness and heart disease.
According to local media, Brunei was declared free of measles in 2015.
WHO’s latest announcement brought the total number of rubella-free countries
and areas within the Western Pacific region to five.