Case of measles disease confirmed in Mayo child

The Department of Public Health, HSE West and North West, is investigating a single case of confirmed measles disease in Co Mayo.

Public Health was notified of the case which concerns a child in late April and close contacts are being identified and advised by the Public Health team.

The confirmation of the case of measles in Mayo follows a number of measles cases that have been notified to the public health authorities in Ireland in recent weeks. To date 19 cases have been confirmed in Ireland since the turn of the year with five of those confirmed in the HSE West and North West region.

Measles is a highly contagious acute viral disease that spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing. Measles starts with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes and is followed a few days later by a red rash that starts on the head and spreads downwards over the face, neck and body.

Measles can cause chest infections, fits, ear infections, swelling of the brain and brain damage. Measles is worst for children under one year of age, pregnant women, and people with poor immunity.

Dr Emer O’Connell, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: “Measles can be a serious illness and is highly infectious. One person with the disease can infect 90 per cent of the people around them who have not been immunised. The best protection is to be fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine.”

The HSE have advised the public that the best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination. The MMR vaccine can prevent measles in over 90 percent of immunised children, following a single dose of the vaccine. With the second dose of MMR vaccine, over 99 percent of immunised children are protected from measles infection.

If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or had measles illness, you are unlikely to require vaccination, as you are probably immune.

Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.

There is also a free catch-up MMR option via participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccination when younger.

Further information about measles is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles.