Health officials are warning of another increase in measles cases in Ireland
It is understood that the number of measles cases has risen by two to 11 confirmed cases while 14 remain under investigation.
Those under investigation include possible and probably cases which have not had laboratory confirmation.
So far, there has been one fatality as a result of measles. A man passed away in Westmeath after contracting the virus in Birmingham, England.
Symptoms
If you’re not well-versed on what to look our for in children and adults, there are some early symptoms that can indicate infection.
Early symptoms usually last 4–7 days.
They include:
- running nose
- cough
- red and watery eyes
- small white spots inside the cheeks
The rash begins about 7–18 days after exposure, usually on the face and upper neck. It spreads over about 3 days, eventually to the hands and feet. It usually lasts 5–6 days before fading.
Most deaths from measles are from complications related to the disease.
Complications can include:
- blindness
- encephalitis (an infection causing brain swelling and potentially brain damage)
- severe diarrhoea and related dehydration
- ear infections
- severe breathing problems including pneumonia
If a woman catches measles during pregnancy, this can be dangerous for the mother and can result in her baby being born prematurely with a low birth weight.
Vaccination
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, announced funding for a comprehensive MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) catch-up vaccination programme in Februrary.
This initiative came in response to a concerning uptick in measles cases across the UK and Europe. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been tasked with outlining the program’s details and ensuring its effective rollout.
The primary focus of the vaccination campaign is on reaching key demographic groups who may not have received the MMR vaccine.
This includes children, young adults, healthcare workers, and vulnerable populations such as refugees, asylum seekers, and the homeless community.
Both General Practitioners (GPs) and specialised HSE vaccination teams will be responsible for administering the vaccinations.
This newly announced programme builds upon the foundation laid by the HSE’s existing MMR catch-up initiative, which commenced in November 2023.
The initial program targeted children aged between 14 months and 10 years who may have missed their routine vaccinations.
While this effort remains ongoing, the expanded catch-up programme seeks to broaden its reach to encompass a wider number of vulnerable people.
Minister Donnelly emphasised the importance of proactive vaccination, and said: “I would encourage all those eligible for MMR vaccination to come forward and avail themselves of the opportunity to be protected.
“With measles cases surging internationally and the risk of transmission heightened in Ireland, safeguarding ourselves and our communities against this highly contagious disease is paramount.”
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