The Whitman County Health Department has confirmed that an 18-year-old Washington State University student from China has been diagnosed with rubella.

The student attended intensive language classes at WSU from July 7-21, and the health department is contacting people who have had close contact.

Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is a viral illness that begins with a red rash on the face, spreading to the trunk and limbs. Other symptoms may include a low-grade fever, aching joints and swollen lymph glands. The rash lasts for one to three days before resolving spontaneously. Some cases have no apparent symptoms. However, rubella is highly contagious and there is no treatment.

Close contacts who have had rubella or who have had two doses of mumps, measles, rubella vaccine are already immune and should not be concerned. Contacts who are not immunized, pregnant or who have received only one dose of MMR should contact their health care provider or the local public health office.

Routine immunization of children with two doses of MMR vaccine has virtually eliminated transmission of rubella in the United States, but the disease still occurs naturally in other parts of the world.

The source of the student’s infection is unknown at this time.