The Measles outbreak continues to spread rapidly across Europe, where World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that numbers are at an all-time high.
This brings the number of total confirmed cases to 76, which is over 50 cases more than reported last year.
Health professionals continue to warn parents about the potential harmful effects of the illness which include chest infections, fits, ear infections, swelling of the brain and brain damage.
Dr. Helena Murray, a specialist in Public Health Medicine, said:
"Measles can be a serious illness and is highly infectious. The best protection is to be fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine".
Earlier this month, five new cases of the illness were reported in Ireland, and now the total count of those infected is continuing to skyrocket.
In fact, WHO’s data shows over 41,000 cases have been confirmed in Europe, 37 of which were fatal.
However, the Health Service Executive (HSE) reassured the public that no Measles-related deaths have been reported in Ireland thus far.
Children under the age of one, expectant mothers, and those with compromised immune systems should be on high alert for possible contact with the disease’s carriers and for its symptoms, as they are most at risk for seeing the worst of the illness’ effects.
The public are urged to watch for a combination of the following symptoms: a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a red rash that starts on the head and spreads downwards over the face, neck, and body.
Contact your GP immediately if you feel you or your child may have contracted the infectious disease.
