Fourth case of measles in Ireland as HSE appeals to people to get vaccinated
A FOURTH case of measles has been confirmed in Ireland, with the HSE appealing to unvaccinated people to come forward.
Details of the location of the most recent case were not given but it comes after a confirmed case on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin last Saturday.
The number of confirmed cases this year now compares with the total number of cases in 2023.
The HSE said there is a heightened awareness of the disease among clinicians in Ireland due to the ongoing outbreaks in the UK and across Europe.
It is finalising plans for the broader rollout of a proactive MMR vaccine catch-up programme in response to a rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe.
The HSE said it was important to note that it already offers the MMR vaccine to all children to protect against measles as part of its childhood immunisation schedule for those aged 12 months and for four- to fiveyear-olds in junior infants at school.
There is also a free catchup MMR option with participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccine when younger. Dr Lucy Jessop, director of the HSE’s National Immunisation Office, said health officials were aware that more cases may be confirmed over the coming weeks.
She appealed to anyone who believes they might not be vaccinated to come forward.
Dr Jessop told RTÉ’s News at One: ‘The people who should get that vaccine are those we know may be under-vaccinated; maybe they missed a vaccine when they were children. We know from various studies that adults under the age of 25 may have missed out in the past.
‘If you were born in Ireland before 1978, there was a lot of measles circulating and you were likely to be infected, so those people don’t necessarily have to come forward for an MMR.
‘If they’re a healthcare worker, it’s recommended they still come forward. If you weren’t born in Ireland you might well need to come forward. We would encourage anyone who is not sure to speak to their GP.’
She said details of the rollout of a proactive MMR vaccine catch-up programme are due to be published on Tuesday.
Dr Jessop said an alert had been issued in relation to Saturday’s Etihad Airlines flight from Abu Dhabi and the HSE has ‘been working with the airline around that and raising awareness with those passengers for the signs and symptoms of measles’.
She added: ‘If anyone was a passenger on that flight, advice has been given and it’s very important to make contact with public health if they’re in a particular risk group – babies under one, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised.’
Signs and symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough; sore, red eyes; a temperature of 38C or above; and a rash, which usually appears on the head and neck first and spreads to the rest of the body.
People who have those symptoms should stay at home in a separate room and seek healthcare advice.
‘Maybe they missed a vaccine’