HSE warns of measles threat from European outbreak
ONE-in-five children diagnosed with measles in Ireland this year had visited Europe or been in contact with someone who had travelled here from the continent in the weeks before they fell ill.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre again urged parents to make sure their children were fully vaccinated against measles following a large outbreak of the disease in Europe.
Public health specialist Dr Suzanne Cotter said 42 cases of measles had been reported in Ireland since January.
Eight of these cases were in children aged one -- who were too young to have been vaccinated -- but almost half of the remainder had not received any doses of the MMR vaccine.
The MMR shot guards against measles, mumps and rubella. It is generally administered to children around the age of one, with a second dose around the age of five.
There had been 10,000 cases of measles and four related deaths in 18 European countries this year, Dr Cotter warned.
Vaccinated
"Many cases are due to travel of infected people between countries," she said.
"As there is more travel between Europe and Ireland over the summer, there is an increased risk to Irish children and teenagers who are not fully vaccinated against measles.
"There have been significant outbreaks in France, Spain and Belgium, which are popular holiday destinations for Irish families and with college students on holiday, working, visiting relatives and friends or attending summer camps."
Dr Cotter added: "Vaccination with MMR vaccine is the only way to protect against measles. In Ireland, the first MMR dose is given at 12 months of age, and the second dose at four to five years of age.
"Parents must make sure that their children and teenagers are protected against measles by ensuring they have been immunised with MMR before they visit Europe.
"Measles is a highly infectious and dangerous illness which spreads easily, particularly in homes, creches, play groups, camps, schools and universities."
She urged people to speak to their GP about the free vaccine. At the moment, only 90pc of children in Ireland have received one dose of MMR by 24 months of age.
This is below the target of 95pc of vaccinations which would give 'herd immunity' and prevent outbreaks.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
