[3] Typically, the virus is transmitted via droplets, such as coughing or sneezing, however, congenital rubella can be passed on from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
The disease itself is fairly mild, usually presenting with a rash on the face and general sickness symptoms, such as coughing, fever, and fatigue, however, the real danger lies in Rubella infections in women who are pregnant.
[8] The epidemic led the drive to develop a vaccine[9] which has helped the United States to see as little as 10 new Rubella cases a year.
Twenty years after this discovery, an outbreak of Rubella took place in Europe and eventually made it way over to the United States.
[11] With new information out about the effects of the Rubella virus on a fetus, some expectant women and physicians wanted the termination of the pregnancy to be an option.