Measles: Latest report shows increase of possible cases in Ireland last week

This is an increase compared to the previous week when three possible cases were detected.

In the previous report, one case of measles was confirmed, the man who sadly passed away at the Dublin and Midlands Health Region - the first measles death in Ireland in over two decades.

Of the 11 possible cases last week, five were children aged between 0 and four; four were in children aged five and nine, and one possible case was in a child aged between ten and 14.

Each case will be subjected to lab tests before they can be confirmed or denotified.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can have serious implications, especially in children under one, pregnant women, and those who are immunosuppressed. 

It starts with cold-like symptoms that begin approximately ten days after a person contracts the disease, with a rash developing a few days later. 

Symptoms can include aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough.

If a person has sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light it could also be an indication that they have contracted the virus.

Someone may also have the disease if they record a temperature of 38C or above.

The illness can last for seven to 10 days. 

The HSE recommends that babies who have reached 12 months receive their first doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

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