The Health Service Executive has issued a warning today as 17 people are confirmed as having measles.
12 of those people are in Dublin and 7 are in Meath, some of whom as children.
Dr Deirdre Mulholland, Director of Public Health for HSE East, said the best form of protection against measles, for you and your child, is to be fully vaccinated with 2 doses of MMR vaccine. She stressed that it's a very serious illness and is very contagious.
She said, "The HSE advises that everyone should be aware of the possible risk of spread of measles whenever groups of people gather and particularly when attending healthcare services such as GPs or Emergency Departments.”
According to the HSE, the symptoms for the illness are:
"Fever, cough, red and painful eyes, and a rash. It can cause severe disease resulting in complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis and occasionally death. Although it is most common in young children, it can affect anyone at any age."
It has advised that if anyone believes they may have symptoms of measles to stay at home and contact their doctor.
Those most at risk of getting measles are babies under the age of 12 months and those with weakened immune systems.
Go to your GP for MMR vaccination if:
- you have not had 2 doses of MMR vaccine
- you have a preschool or primary school child who never had MMR vaccine
- you have a primary school child who missed out on the 2nd dose
- you are not sure if your child has had 2 doses of MMR vaccine
