Rubella outbreak--Westchester County, New York, 1997-1998.

Since licensure of rubella vaccines in 1969, the incidence of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the United States has decreased substantially. Rubella infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infants with a pattern of birth defects (i.e., CRS). One of the national health objectives for 2000 is to eliminate indigenous rubella and CRS (objective 20.1). During 1997-1998, 524 cases of rubella were reported in the United States (CDC, unpublished data, 1999). This report describes a rubella outbreak in Westchester County, New York, demonstrates the importance of accurately defining and vaccinating at-risk populations to prevent transmission, and underscores how collaboration with community-based organizations can facilitate the development and implementation of control measures.