Health officials in Ireland have reported ten measles cases in Dublin City since the start of February 2019. This community outbreak of measles affecting adults and children.

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. Dr. Ruth McDermott, Public Health Specialist said: “Measles is a serious illness and is highly infectious. The best protection is to be vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine”.

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People planning to travel abroad should make sure they are protected from measles. Those who have not been vaccinated with MMR vaccine or have not had measles in the past are at risk of measles. If unsure whether they had the vaccine they should speak to their GP about getting the MMR vaccine before travelling.

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There are on-going outbreaks of measles in multiple countries in the European region including France, Italy, Greece, Romania, Poland and the Ukraine and worldwide. Most people who get measles on holiday do not know they were exposed until they develop the illness. Unrecognized exposures to measles have occurred at airports, on planes, at concerts, in shops and health care settings.

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How to control the spread of measles

Vaccination with measles containing vaccine (MMR):

1. All children should get the MMR vaccine when they are aged 12 months. If any child aged over 12 months has missed this vaccine they should get it now from their GP.

2. All children should get a second dose of MMR vaccine when they are 4-5 years old in Junior Infants at school. If any child in Senior Infants or older has missed this vaccine they should get it now from their GP.

3. Adults under 40 years who have not had measles or have not received 2 doses of MMR vaccine should contact their GP to get the MMR vaccine.