There have been no cases among children. All 16 cases have been in adults of Hispanic origin. The cases range in age from 16 to 46 years. Foreign-born adults are most vulnerable to rubella because of the differing immunization practices throughout the world. Rubella immunization is required for all children in the United States.
Rubella is a generally mild viral illness.
By far, the most important conse- quences of rubella are the miscarriages, stillbirths and birth defects which may result when a woman is infected with rubella during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. One of the 16 Houston cases was in a pregnant woman.