HSE probing single case of confirmed measles in Mayo

The Department of Public Health and HSE West is investigating a single case of confirmed measles disease in Mayo.

Public Health was notified of the case in late April, and it concerns a child.

Close contacts are being identified and advised by the Public Health team.

If you or your child develop symptoms of measles please stay at home and phone your General Practitioner (GP) for advice.

Measles symptoms include:

•A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above

•Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough

•Sore red eyes

•Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

•Vomiting, diarrhoea and tummy pain may also happen

Dr Emer O’Connell, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: “Measles can be a serious illness and is highly infectious.

"One person with the disease can infect 90 per cent of the people around them who have not been immunised.

"The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination.

"Please make sure that you and your family are up to date with MMR vaccines. This can be arranged with your GP.

"A highly effective vaccine, MMR, can prevent measles in over 90% of immunised children, following a single dose of the vaccine.

"With the second dose of MMR vaccine, over 99% of immunised children are protected from measles infection."

If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or had measles illness, you are unlikely to require vaccination, as you are probably immune.

Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.

There is also a free catch-up MMR option via participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccination when younger.

Further information about measles is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/

Prevent the spread of measles if you think you may have measles:

•Do not go to work, school or crèche.

•Stay at home and phone your GP. Tell the doctor or nurse that you think you might have measles.

•Stop visitors coming to the house to prevent the spread of measles.

•Pregnant women, infants and those with a weakened immune system who have been exposed to measles should seek medical advice as soon as possible.