The HSE have confirmed that the first known case of rubella in Ireland in eleven years occurred in Cork city, after one person was diagnosed with the disease.

Staff at the Apple campus in Hollyhill have been sent a memo regarding rubella, with the case believed to have been contracted in another country by an Apple employee who has been on campus in Cork.

Apple have yet to comment on the case.

It's the first reported case of the illness, also known as German measles, in Ireland in over a decade. A highly effective vaccination programme began in 1971 has made rubella virtually unknown in this country and in much of the developed world.

However, cases of rubella infection have been on the rise in the US and elsewhere - and are being blamed on the anti-vaccination or "anti-vaxx" movement, where parents are deliberately choosing to not vaccinate their children.

Here, we tell you everything you need to know about the disease.

What is rubella?

Rubella, also known as German Measles, is a virus that in most cases is a relatively mild condition that causes fevers and rashes.

Rubella is known for its distinctive red rash, and is often compared to measles although the diseases are caused by different viruses.

Rubella is not as infectious or as severe as measles usually.

How do you get rubella?

Rubella is spread by close contact with an infected person. It can also spread from coughs and sneezes.

A person with rubella is contagious for 1-2 weeks before the onset of the rash until 1-2 weeks after the rash has cleared, and so can spread the disease before they realise they have it.

What are the symptoms?

According to the HSE, "Rubella (German measles) causes a rash, fever and swollen glands. If a pregnant woman gets rubella in early pregnancy it may cause major birth defects in the baby."

Other symptoms may include a headache, a stuffy or runny nose, inflamed eyes, tender lymph nodes, and aching joints.

When should you see a doctor?

You should contact your GP if you have any concerns, or if you think you or your child may have been exposed to the disease or have the symptoms listed above.

What are the effects of the disease?

According to the HSE, of the people who get rubella (German measles):

  • About 1 in 2 will get a rash and painful swollen glands; and more than half of women with rubella get painful joints.
  • 1 in 3000 get thrombocytopenia (bruising or bleeding of the skin);
  • 1 in 6000 get encephalitis (inflammation of the brain);

If a pregnant woman gets rubella in early pregnancy 9 in 10 babies will have a major birth defect, such as deafness, blindness, brain damage or heart defects.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes - and the HSE recommend that two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine are required to give the best protection.

The vaccine is generally first given to children at 12 months of age, and a second dose is given at 4-5 years of age.

The HSE advise all parents if they are unsure whether their child has been given the two doses of MMR to contact their local GP.

Can adults get the vaccine?

The HSE recommend that older children and young adults who have not received two doses of the vaccine should be vaccinated as soon as possible, and that the vaccine is safe for most people.

However, those who have had an allergic reaction to a previous MMR vaccine, or are allergic to the neomycin antibiotic, should not get the vaccine.

The vaccine should also not be given to anyone who is pregnant, and vaccines should be delayed if your child:

  • is ill with a fever
  • has had varicella vaccine, within the previous four weeks.
  • is on high dose steroids
  • is having any treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
  • is on treatment with Protopic ointment for severe eczema
  • has any illness or disease that affects their immune system
  • has had recent blood or blood products

People are advised to always discuss concerns with their GP.

There have been a number of cases of another relatively rare virus in Cork in recent months. In November, there were several cases of mumps reported at UCC.

And in early December, parents at one of Cork city's best known secondary schools were sent a letter by the HSE advising them to check that their children had been vaccinated after there was a reported case of the mumps.