Warning on measles
Restaurant and bus customers who may have met virus victim told to ‘be vigilant’
A HEALTH alert has been issued to people who travelled on a bus or were in a restaurant in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, following a man’s death from measles.
Meanwhile, as GPs around the country have said they have been inundated with enquiries about the measles vaccine, the HSE has advised that adults born before 1978 do not require a jab.
Following the death of the 48year-old man in Mullingar Hospital, which was announced on Wednesday night, public health officials yesterday issued an alert to people who may have crossed his path. That includes anyone who was in a restaurant at Mullingar Business Park between 2pm and 4.30pm on Monday, January 29, or who travelled on the 115 Bus Éireann route on Monday 5 February.
The HSE said those people may have been exposed to the virus, but said it was not advising that people should avoid the restaurant or bus route.
As measles cases skyrocket across Europe, with particularly virulent outbreaks in the UK, people who may have come in contact with the man have been warned they should be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from the time of possible exposure.
‘Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one, pregnant women, and the immuno-suppressed. If you are in one of these groups, please seek advice from your GP,’ the HSE said in a statement.
‘If you travelled on the bus route or attended a restaurant in Mullingar Business Park during the dates and times above, it is especially important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles, which include: cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough, sore red eyes, a temperature of 38C or above, a rash, which usually appears on the head and neck first and spreads to the rest of the body.’
The HSE said people with symptoms should phone before visiting any healthcare setting, adding that anyone not vaccinated against measles with two doses of MMR should contact their GP as soon as possible to discuss whether they require vaccination.
‘If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or had measles illness, you are unlikely to require vaccination as you are probably immune,’ the HSE said.
Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at four to five years of age. There is also a free catchup MMR option available from participating GPs for those who may have missed vaccination when they were younger.
The HSE has advised that while it is targeting younger people and children, anyone can get the vaccine for free.
Doctors told the Irish Daily Mail most of the enquires they have received in recent days were about unvaccinated children, but some were from adults who never got the MMR jab.
Dr Tadhg Crowley, a Kilkenny GP and chair of the IMO’s GP Committee, said: ‘We have had calls, probably more from parents of children in the under-18s group, but we have discussed it. If people have not had the vaccine when they were younger, they are entitled to get it.’
‘Be aware of signs for 21 days’