The HSE has issued a public health warning after two cases of measles have been confirmed in Ireland.
Two people in North Dublin City have presented with the disease, which has prompted an Outbreak Control Team to take action to investigate and control the spread of this potentially serious illness.
A public health notice was issued to bring awareness to the symptoms of measles, while an alert has been sent to all Emergency Departments and General Practitioners (GPs) in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
Measles is highly contagious and is spread easily. The time between exposure to measles and developing the rash is usually 14 days (range 7-21 days). People are infectious from 4 days before rash starts until 4 days after.
Measles symptoms include:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red eyes
- Red rash that starts on head and spread down the body- this normally starts a few days after onset of illness. The rash consists of flat red or brown blotches, which can flow into each other. It lasts about 4-7 days.
- Vomiting, diarrhoea and tummy pain may also happen.
Dr Deirdre Mulholland, Director of Public Health said “measles can be a serious illness and is highly contagious. The best protection is to be fully vaccinated with 2 doses of MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine.”
If you have symptoms suggestive of measles you should stay at home, not go to school or work and phone your GP and explain that you may have measles. People who have not been fully vaccinated with MMR vaccine or have not had measles in the past are at high risk of getting measles if exposed.
Those most at risk of catching measles are those who are not fully vaccinated with 2 doses of MMR vaccine such as babies younger than 12 months who are too young to be vaccinated, and those with weakened immune systems.
More information on measles can be found here: http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/measles/factsheet/
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