The HSE has received reports of more than 65 cases of measles since the beginning of the year.

So far this year, the HSE has noted three clusters of measles – one in Limerick and two in Dublin – and a number of individual cases around the west and southeast. However, it is the ages of those being diagnosed that is causing concern in the HSE, as they continue to urge members of the public to get the MMR vaccine. “Ten to 30 percent of the population under the age of 40 is not vaccinated,” assistant national director for public health at the HSE, Dr Kevin Kelleher said. The number of children being diagnosed with the disease has been much higher since the start of the year, however, the number of cases of those over the age of 35 being diagnosed has left the HSE concerned. It is recommended that 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated against the disease to prevent the spread of the disease, however, as it stands we are falling short of that. Measles is a highly contagious disease and for those diagnosed, they can spread it to 90 percent of those they come in close contact with if they are not immune. The MMR vaccination is available to the public for free from their GP.