Rubella in an Immunized Island Population

Abstract

Although the epidemiology of rubella virus has been studied in detail,^1-8the marked variation in epidemic potential of rubella virus in different population groups remains unexplained. The introduction of rubella into the highly susceptible population in Hawaii has seldom resulted in epidemic disease.⁹In contrast, at the US Army recruit training camp at Fort Ord, Calif, rubella is endemic throughout the year and a very high proportion of susceptible men (including Hawaiian recruits) become infected during the short period of basic training.^3,10During the winter of 1970-1971, rubella was introduced into Kauai, an island community where the rubella immunity status had been accurately defined. This report summarizes the epidemiology of the outbreak and discusses some host-dependent factors that may be related to the epidemiology of this virus. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3><h3>Studied Area.—</h3> Kauai is the fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands (555 square miles). Its racially diverse