In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, rubella surveillance is integrated with measles laboratory case based surveillance. The performance indicators for rubella surveillance are linked to those for measles  surveillance performance indicators.

Rubella infection is diagnosed by detection of rubella IgM antibodies using ELISA assay.

Countries with high incidence test first for measles and negative specimens are then tested for rubella. Countries with low measles incidence  test the specimen for measles and rubella simultaneously.  . The Region is considering setting target date for rubella elimination.