Second case of measles is confirmed in Ireland
The HSE said that anyone with concerns over measles should contact their GP.
A second case of measles has been confirmed in Ireland, with the patient being based in the West.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of the case on Wednesday.
The first case was reported last month when a man from Westmeath died from the disease. It is understood he caught the disease in Birmingham.
The HSE said that public health teams, along with the HSE Measles National Incident Management Team (IMT), are taking all necessary public health actions in relation to the case.
"The Measles IMT was established in response to a recent rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe," a spokesperson said.
"The HSE will keep the public informed of further measures as required and, in the meantime, anyone with concerns should contact their GP."
The health service is finalising plans for the roll-out of a proactive MMR vaccine catch-up programme in response to a rise in measles case in the UK and Europe.
This catch-up programme will prioritise the following as uptake rates are currently lower in these groups:
- Children and young adults;
- Healthcare workers;
- Underserved groups such as refugees, applicants seeking protection, and the homeless community.
Current public health advice indicates that people born in Ireland before 1978 are likely to have been exposed to measles as children and, therefore, are unlikely to require a MMR vaccine.
Measles is a serious airborne infection and while often associated with a rash, the virus can spread around the body, potentially leading to severe complications and in some cases death.
Symptoms include cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, runny nose, sneezing, a cough, sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light, a temperature of 38C, rash, small greyish-white spots in the mouth, loss of appetite, tiredness, irritability, and general lack of energy.
The HSE has urged anyone with symptoms to seek medical help.
"Phone ahead prior to attending your GP, emergency department, or other healthcare provider to inform the healthcare professionals that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements," it said.
"In addition, please alert medical staff if you have been in contact with someone who has measles or if you have recently travelled to an area where you know measles has been spreading."
