Rubella sensitivity in young women--an occupational hazard in hospitals.

This study of 1,496 serological results over a period of 4 years draws attention to the fact that there may be female personnel in the hospital setting who are not only at risk of contracting rubella but could also infect susceptible pregnant patients, and to the need for an effective programme of immunisation against rubella for hospital personnel. It was established that a higher proportion of young white female personnel (18% and more) than coloured personnel (4%) at Groote Schuur Hospital were susceptible to rubella, and that this figure was higher than in other South African centres and centres in many other countries.