CTX-M β-lactamase–producing Escherichia coli in Long-term Care Facilities, France

closely related to a genotypic group of viruses isolated from the eastern United States and two Caribbean countries from 1999 to 2001 (6). Results from our phylogenetic analysis showed that Thess1/GRE99, as well as strains G432/GER99 and 6423/PV/ITA97 (and the United Kingdom 1999 strains), were clustering with strains FRI/BAH97 (accession no. AY326359), isolated in 1997 from the Bahamas, and DES/MBCAN97 (AY326358), isolated in 1997 from Manitoba, Canada (which also belong to the international 1997–2000 RGI genotype). These findings indicated that this rubella strain was circulating in both Europe and North America at least as early as 1997. Recent data indicate that internationally circulating rubella viruses exist, even when vaccination programs are conducted. Comprehensive specimen collection and genotypic analysis are necessary to identify and track the emergence and spread of such genotypes.