Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Rubella virus

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Rubella virus

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: German measlesFootnote 1-Footnote 5, 3 day measlesFootnote 4, congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)Footnote 1-Footnote 5.

CHARACTERISTICS: Family Togaviridae, Genus Rubivirus. Each virion is 55-89 nm and contains one positive stranded RNA molecule. Genetic material is enveloped in an isometric nucleocapsid. The capsid consists of multiple copies of one virus-specific protein, surrounded in a lipid bilayer containing two virus-specific glycoproteins.

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/ TOXICITY: Rubella: Mild infection characterized by rash starting on the face and gradually spreading to the feet, fever, lymphadenopathy, and other flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and sneezingFootnote 2Footnote 3. Older children and adults may experience joint involvement and purpuric rashFootnote 2. Rare complications include encephalitis, thrombocytopenia with hemorrhagic manifestations, neuritis, conjunctivitis, and ochitisFootnote 3.

Congenital rubella syndrome: Women in their first trimester who contract rubella have an increased risk of passing the infection to the developing foetusFootnote 3. When contracted during the first trimester the effects on the child are most marked. Ocular, cardiovascular, and central nervous system defects are common, along with deafness and intrauterine growth retardation. Contraction of rubella later in pregnancy reduces the risk and severity of symptoms. Second trimester infections are associated with deafness, retinopathy, microcephaly, and mental retardation, while third trimester infections are associated with intrauterine growth retardation.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: WorldwideFootnote 1Footnote 3. Epidemics occurred roughly every 6-9 years but immunisation programmes have greatly reduced the number of cases in developed countriesFootnote 1Footnote 3. Infections peaks in late winter and springFootnote 3.

HOST RANGE: HumansFootnote 1Footnote 5.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Thirty viral units subcutaneously, >10 viral units by pharyngeal spray, and 60 units by nasal drops are sufficient for infectionFootnote 6.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: The virus is transmitted by aerosols from the respiratory tract in infected individualsFootnote 7. Transmission may also occur via nasal and respiratory tract secretions carried on hands that come in contact with nasal mucosa.

INCUBATION PERIOD: The incubation period is 14-17 days with a range of 14-21 daysFootnote 8. Rash is the first symptoms to appear. Rash appears 2 weeks after infectionFootnote 1Footnote 3.

COMMUNICABILITY: Carrier is infectious for 7 days before appearance of rash and for 5-7 days after the appearance of the rashFootnote 2Footnote 3. Transmission requires close person-to-person contactFootnote 7.

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: HumansFootnote 3Footnote 5

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptibility to antiviral drugs has not been reportedFootnote 1.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Rubella virions are susceptible to ether, chloroform, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), saponin, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide and beta- propiolactoneFootnote 1. 1% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol are also effective disinfectantsFootnote 7.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Temperatures exceeding 56 °C for 2-20 minutes, 37°C for 48 hours, or -20 °C will inactivate the Rubella virusFootnote 1. Virions are also susceptible to UV light. Virions are not stable at a pH less than 6.8 or greater than 8.0Footnote 1.

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Rubella has a half life of 1 hour at 37 °C outside of the hostFootnote 9. The mean survival time is 0.9 days.

SECTION V - FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms. Confirm diagnosis with serological testingFootnote 1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), hemagglutination inhibition test (HI), and immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) are common methods used. Serologic testing can also be used to confirm congenital rubella syndrome in an infant, which may yield more harm than the rubella virus itself.

Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Treatment for rubella is supportiveFootnote 1. There have been no reports of successful treatment with antiviral drugs.

IMMUNISATION: Vaccine available; vaccine is combined with measles and mumps vaccines and is known as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccineFootnote 2Footnote 5Footnote 16. Vaccination for women is suggested 1 month before conception if not previously vaccinatedFootnote 3. Recent studies show any risk to foetus during the first month of pregnancy from the vaccine is negligible.

PROPHYLAXIS: Vaccination of females of child bearing age decreases the risk of CRSFootnote 1Footnote 3. Immune globulin given soon after exposure to rubella may modify or suppress symptoms but is not certain to prevent infection, including congenital infection and thus is not recommended for routine useFootnote 10.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Two cases of Rubella in laboratory workers were reported as of 1985, and the source of these infections may have been from the communityFootnote 11. Health care workers have been known to carry the virus and act as a source of infection to in larger communityFootnote 12.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood, faeces, urine, and nasopharyngeal secretions contain the viral agent during the course of infectionFootnote 2.

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Inhalation of aerosols during manipulation of infectious samples or cultures are the primary hazards associated with the Rubella virusFootnote 6Footnote 13. Splashing of infectious samples in the eye also poses risk of infection.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: Rubella is a teratogenFootnote 14. Based on the outcomes of a local risk assessment, mitigation measures should be put in place to protect pregnant women, and women trying to become pregnant, from possible exposures when working in a laboratory where Rubella virus is handled.

SECTION VII - EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk Group 2Footnote 15.

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infected or potentially infected materials, animals, or cultures.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashesFootnote 13.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activitiesFootnote 13.

SECTION VIII - HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow all aerosols to settle, and, while wearing protective clothing, cover the spill gently with paper towel and apply appropriate disinfectant, starting at the edges of the spill zone and working inward. Allow an appropriate contact time before clean upFootnote 13.

DISPOSAL: Decontamination using steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, or incineration must be performed before disposal of infectious wasteFootnote 13.

STORAGE: All infectious materials should be stored in sealed containers bearing the appropriate labellingFootnote 13.

SECTION IX - REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION

REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards.

UPDATED: March 2017

PREPARED BY: Centre for Biosecurity, Public Health Agency of Canada.

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.

Copyright ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2017
Canada

REFERENCES:

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Chantler, J., Wolinsky, J. S., & Tingle, A. (2001). Rubella Virus. In D. M. Knipe, & P. M. Howley (Eds.), Fields Virology (4th ed., pp. 963-990). Philidelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Edlich, R. F., Winters, K. L., Long, W. B.,3rd, & Gubler, K. D. (2005). Rubella and congenital rubella (German measles). Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants, 15 (3), 319-328.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

De Santis, M., Cavaliere, A. F., Straface, G., & Caruso, A. (2006). Rubella infection in pregnancy. Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.), 21 (4), 390-398. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2005.01.014

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Frey, T. K., & Abernathy, E. S. (1993). Identification of strain-specific nucleotide sequences in the RA 27/3 rubella virus vaccine. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 168 (4), 854-864.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

Ilkow, C. S., Willows, S. D., & Hobman, T. C. (2010). Rubella virus capsid protein: a small protein with big functions. Future Microbiology, 5 (4), 571-584. doi:10.2217/fmb.10.27

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

Collins, C. H., & Kennedy, D. A. (1999). Exposure, sources and routes of infections. Laboratory acquired infections: History incidences, cases and prevention (4th ed., pp. 38-52, 53). Oxford, UK: Butterworth Heinmann.

Return to footnote 6 referrer

Footnote 7

Prince, H. N., & Prince, D. L. (2001). Principles of viral control and transmission. In S. S. Block (Ed.), Disinfection, sterilization and preservation (5th ed., pp. 543-571). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Return to footnote 7 referrer

Footnote 8

Heymann, D. L. (2008). Control of Communicable Diseases Manual (19th Edition ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Public Health Association.

Return to footnote 8 referrer

Footnote 9

Walther, B. A., & Ewald, P. W. (2004). Pathogen survival in the external environment and the evolution of virulence. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 79 (4), 849-869.

Return to footnote 9 referrer

Footnote 10

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2006). Canadian Immunization Guide. Retrieved 11/02, 2010, from www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cig-gci/index-eng.php

Return to footnote 10 referrer

Footnote 11

Grist, N. R., & Emslie, J. (1985). Infections in British clinical laboratories, 1982-3. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 38 (7), 721-725.

Return to footnote 11 referrer

Footnote 12

Sepkowitz, K. A. (1996). Occupationally acquired infections in health care workers. Part II. Annals of Internal Medicine, 125 (11), 917-928.

Return to footnote 12 referrer

Footnote 13

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2004). In Best M., Graham M. L., Leitner R., Ouellette M. and Ugwu K. (Eds.), Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines (3rd ed.). Canada: Public Health Agency of Canada.

Return to footnote 13 referrer

Footnote 14

Collins, C. H., & Kennedy, D. A. (1999). The laboratory worker. Laboratory acquired infections: History, incidence, causes and preventions (4th ed., pp. 187-198). Oxford, UK: Butterworth Heinemann.

Return to footnote 14 referrer

Footnote 15

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act. S.C. 2009, c. 24. Government of Canada, Second Session, Fortieth Parliament, 57-58 Elizabeth II, 2009, (2009).

Return to footnote 15 referrer

Footnote 16

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act. S.C. 2009, c. 24. Government of Canada, Second Session, Fortieth Parliament, 57-58 Elizabeth II, 2009, (2009).

Return to footnote 16 referrer

Page details

Date modified: