The Health Service Executive has confirmed an outbreak of measles in Co Donegal and is advising that people who are diagnosed with it should stay away from school, college, work and public places for four days following the onset of their rash in order to prevent further infections.

According to the HSE the outbreak has a link to a third-level institution in Galway and so far there have been two confirmed cases.

It says that while the majority of children in Donegal still receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the numbers have been dropping slightly over the past few years.

As soon as vaccination rates fall, old diseases re-emerge and this is why measles outbreaks are occurring across Ireland and Europe, they say.

In terms of symptoms, measles infection typically causes a rash, fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes), cough or runny nose with the rash usually starting four days after the other symptoms.

Measles infection can have serious complications such as pneumonia, seizures and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). One to two people out of every 1,000 who become infected with measles will die.

Since measles is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or through the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes, the HSE is advising people that if they suspect that they or their child has symptoms of measles then they should call their GP.

However it is important not to visit the GP without first letting him or her know that you or your child may have measles as it might be infectious to others in the surgery and special arrangements may need to be made.

For more information on measles please see the HSE website.