Japan is experiencing a nationwide rubella epidemic. In the seven prefectures of Kyushu, there have been 627 confirmed cases this year (through June 16), 263 of which were in the Sensatsu region of Kagoshima Prefecture. Outbreaks of infectious diseases usually strike large urban areas, so the National Institute of Infectious Diseases is investigating why there are so many rubella cases in a region with a population of only 120,000. The Sensatsu region is home to a nuclear power plant and several large factories, so there are many workers who come in from outside of the prefecture. According to a Satsumasendai City official, “there are many cases of infected twenty and thirtysomething men in company dormitories”. Women aged 34 to 50 who received group rubella vaccinations in junior high school and minors who have received two-stage rubella vaccinations have a relatively low risk of infection, but other segments of the population who never received such vaccinations are at risk. With 192 reported cases, Fukuoka is not immune to the epidemic. According to a Prefectural health official, “15-30% of rubella patients show no symptoms, so they can spread the disease by moving around in a given region.” Source: Nishinippon Shimbun, June 26
