Ryanair Cyprus flight passengers sent HSE alert over measles case

Another measles alert has been issued to passengers who were on a five-hour Ryanair flight from Cyprus to Dublin earlier this month, it emerged last night.

One of the people on board the flight had highly infectious measles, posing a risk to other passengers, according to a letter to passengers from the HSE.

The flight FR3333 arrived from Paphos, Cyprus, on Thursday, March 7, according to a passenger who received the notification from the HSE.

The news comes as the HSE said that five cases of measles have now been confirmed in Ireland this year.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) reported the additional case yesterday on its website and it is unclear if it relates to the person on the Ryanair flight.

The first measles case involved a man in his 40s from Co Westmeath, who died in February. The second was a young person in the west and the third was a passenger on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin last Saturday. A fourth case was reported on Thursday, but the details on that are still unclear.

Now a further case has been confirmed involving a passenger on the Ryanair flight from Cyprus.

A letter to passengers from the HSE dated on Wednesday said: “You (and those travelling with you) have been identified as having had contact with a person with measles on a flight on March 7, 2024.”

The letter said that between now and the end of the monitoring period, which is until March 21 inclusive, passengers should take steps arising out of the risk of infection.

Those at risk are people who have never had the MMR vaccine or measles infection and most concern is around those who have serious medical condition or a weakened immunity. The risk also applies to pregnant women and babies under six months.

Those with a weakened immune system should let their doctor know they may have been exposed to measles so they can be advised of any follow-up, said the letter.

A pregnant woman on board who is unsure of her immunity should let her doctor or midwife know they could have been exposed to the virus before their next antenatal appointment.

For those travelling with a baby under six months “it may be worth seeking your doctor’s advice”, said the letter.

The letter advises on the symptoms of measles, with early signs including irritability, a runny nose, red eyes, a hacking cough and high fever that comes and goes. A rash starts about four days after these early symptoms.

Anyone who thinks they or their child has measles should stay at home and contact their GP.

Earlier this week, the HSE issued a public alert to passengers who travelled on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Dublin, which arrived last Saturday at 6.30am, after a confirmed measles case was found on board.

It asked that all passengers be vigilant for signs and symptoms of measles until Saturday, March 30 – which is the recommended 21 days from the time of possible exposure.

‘HSE said five cases have been confirmed in Ireland this year’