The HSE has confirmed a measles outbreak in Dublin City. They have warned parents about the outbreak and have stressed the importance of vaccinating your children.
"The Health Service Executive has confirmed an outbreak of measles in Dublin and is advising that people who think they have measles to stay at home and to contact their General Practitioner (GP) for advice.
"This is a community outbreak of measles affecting adults and children. There have been ten cases since the start of February 2019. Recent cases have involved young adults working in Dublin city centre in the areas of Parnell Street, Dame Street and Baggot Street. Travel to France was identified as a risk.
"Measles is a serious illness and is highly infectious. The best protection is to be vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine,” they commented.
It is understood that the decrease in vaccination uptake is one of the main reasons for measles outbreaks in Ireland.
If you do have symptoms of measles, the HSE recommends avoiding hospital emergency departments.
The first symptoms of measles are usually fever, runny nose, cough, and runny eyes. The rash will appear a few days later usually starting on the face and neck and progressing to other parts of the body. In the beginning stages, the rash looks like red patches that are flat but soon begin to rise. Fever will climb and can become dangerously high.
There may be nausea, diarrhoea, and swollen lymph nodes as well. The rash is very itchy and will last about five days.
Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, and other brain-related illnesses
