A poor uptake in vaccines is to blame for the current spate of measles cases in Dublin, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.
At least 13 adults and children have contracted the disease in the north inner city area since July.
“Transmission has occurred in Dublin hospitals and in households with poor vaccine uptake,” the HSE said in a statement today.
“We are now starting to see cases that acquired measles in the wider inner city community.”
The HSE has said that the best way to protect against the disease, which is “serious and highly infectious” is with an MMR vaccine.
It is calling on anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated to get the recommended two doses.
All children should get their first MMR shot at 12 months and their second one at four or five years of age, usually through their primary school.
Anyone who thinks they have the measles is asked not to go to work, school, creche or large public gathering a hospital but instead to contact their GP.
Symptoms may not appear immediately – there is a risk of measles for up to 21 days after exposure to a case.
Here’s what to look out for:
- cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, watery eyes, swollen eyelids and sneezing
- red eyes and sensitivity to light
- a mild to severe temperature, which may peak at over 40.6°C for several days, then fall but go up again when the rash appears
- tiny greyish-white spots in the mouth and throat
- tiredness, irritability and general lack of energy
- aches and pains
- poor appetite
- a dry cough
- red-brown spotty rash
