HSE preparing for measles spike as Europe cases soar
THE HSE is accelerating plans to deal with a measles outbreak, with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to warn Cabinet today that a spike in the highly infectious disease is imminent.
He is expected to tell colleagues that following a rapid risk assessment by the HSE last month, the probability of the introduction and transmission of measles in Ireland is rated as high.
In Europe, the numbers of measles cases have been increasing since the beginning of last year.
England has seen over 170 measles cases diagnosed in the West Midlands region alone, between December 2023 and mid-January 2024. Here in Ireland, sporadic measles cases continue to be reported to the HSE.
Since 2020, most confirmed cases have followed travel to countries where outbreaks were ongoing.
There were four measles infections reported in 2023, which were part of a family outbreak. The initial case was imported from outside the EU. The HSE has advised that the only protection against measles is vaccination.
The uptake of the MMR vaccine is currently below the World Health Organisation’s recommended target of 95%. Nationally, uptake has been below 90% for seven consecutive quarters. There are significant geographic variations, with uptake below 80% in Louth and Meath, but as high as 94% in Dublin Southwest.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: ‘The likely reason for this high level of non-immunity relates to misinformation in the past regarding the MMR vaccine which falsely implicated it with a risk of autism.’
Mr Donnelly will tell the Cabinet that a number of measures are being taken to combat any potential outbreak. Since spring 2023, the HSE and Department of Health have issued communications to raise awareness and encourage parents to bring their children forward for vaccination.
In May 2023, the Minister for Health added measles to the list of notifiable infectious diseases, which means medical practitioners must urgently report suspected cases of measles.
The timing of the MMR2 vaccination offered in junior infants has moved from the second school term to the first to try to ensure protection as early as possible.
Most recently, an MMR catch-up programme was launched in November last year, through GPs, so that unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated patients could opt in. The HSE is also exploring developing a proposal for an MMR catch-up programme in Leaving Cert students, and also the possibility of a campaign in colleges and higher educational institutions. HSE regions have been testing their response plans and systems in the event of measles cases being detected.
Meanwhile, emergency departments were under pressure over the bank holiday weekend, as winter respiratory viruses continue to circulate at high levels – despite passing the peak.
As of 8am yesterday there were 272 patients on trolleys, according to the HSE, which asked people who did not require emergency care to attend their GPs, pharmacists and GP out-of-hours services before presenting at hospitals.
EDs under pressure