Ireland’s measles outbreak has worsened due to the decline in vaccination uptake. Health experts have expressed their concern about the increasing number of measles cases across Ireland.
They have stressed the importance of vaccinating your children against the illness as it can be extremely serious in some cases.
Doctors have also advised parents to vaccinate their children against the virus by getting the MMR vaccine.
There have been 65 reported cases of the measles in Ireland, with outbreaks occurring in Limerick and Dublin, as well as the west and southeast.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, who is the assistant national director for public health at the HSE, said there is a worrying number of teenagers and adults who have been affected by the outbreak.
He explained that 10 to 30 percent of the population are not vaccinated against the highly infectious viral illness.
The HSE is urging those who have not been vaccinated to get the MMR vaccine.
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.
Babies too young to be vaccinated against #measles are protected when everyone around them is vaccinated. https://t.co/BkAO4SXVjl #Vaccineswork #immunizeEurope pic.twitter.com/856cBp7TUk
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) April 28, 2018
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.
Experts suggest staying at home and contacting your GP if you think you or your child have contracted measles.
