A Maidstone secondary school has issued a warning after a pupil was diagnosed with rubella.

In an email sent yesterday afternoon, The Maplesden Noakes School in Buckland Road, said parents should be on the look out for symptoms on their own child.

Rubella, also known as German measles, is a rare viral infection that spreads in a similar way to a cold or flu. In the latest set of figures released by NHS Choices, there were 65 confirmed cases during 2012, an increase from only six cases in 2011.

The outbreak comes just a few days after pupils returned from the half-term holiday.

A person with rubella will be infectious from one week before symptoms develop, and for up to four days after the rash first appears.

It is passed on by coming into contact with an infected person.

Symptoms include a red-pink skin rash made up of small spots, swollen glands around the head and neck, a fever and aching or painful joints.

The viral infection poses a greater risk to pregnant women, and can leave newborn babies with a wide range of health issues, including eye problems, deafness and possible brain damage.

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