Measles death recorded in Regional Hospital Mullingar

HSE engaging in contract tracing exercise and appeal to parents to ensure their children are vaccinated

The death of a 48-year-old man to measles occurred in Regional Hospital Mullingar earlier this week.

It is the first reported case of the disease in Ireland this year, amid growing fears an outbreak is on the horizon.

The man is believed to have contracted measles following a recent trip to Birmingham in the UK.

He is also believed to have travelled on a bus from Dublin to Mullingar recently, which has sparked a contact tracing effort from the HSE who are looking to identify other passengers he may have come into contact with.

In a statement, they said:

“The public health team in this region is managing the incident including contact tracing and other appropriate measures including vaccination, as per national guidelines.”

Authorities are now on high alert to identify other cases of measles around the country, of which there are nine currently suspected.

Just four cases of the disease were reported in Ireland last year and two the year previous – no deaths from the disease had occurred since 2019.

There were over 1,600 cases of measles in the UK last year.

Other European countries like France, Austria and Lithuania have also observed a rise in cases of the disease in recent months.

The HSE is now planning a new rollout of the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine aimed towards young people.

For anyone without an MMR vaccine, they are available for free through GP practices.

Symptoms of the disease can be similar to the common cold, such as a runny nose or cough, but can also include white spots appearing in the mouth, fever, and swollen eyes.

Appeal to parents to vaccinate children

The HSE is urging parents to make sure children and young people are up to date with their MMR vaccine due to a rise in cases in parts of the UK and Europe.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The HSE is advising people to be vigilant and take necessary steps to prevent the spread of this highly-contagious virus.Measles can be unpleasant and is a potentially serious and highly infectious disease that can spread easily through respiratory droplets.

To safeguard our communities, the HSE recommends that people make sure they are up to date with MMR vaccine to prevent spread of the disease if cases occur in Ireland.

Dr Lucy Jessop, director of the National Immunisation Office, HSE said: “The importance of taking precautions to protect both the individual and the community from measles cannot be understated. While measles is preventable through vaccination, the virus spreads very quickly between people who are not vaccinated and can have severe consequences, particularly for babies and vulnerable groups.“

Getting vaccinated against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella is vitally important as these conditions can also lead to other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Remember, if you or your child has missed their childhood vaccines, it’s not too late to catch up.”

1. Check Vaccination Status Ensure that you and your family members are up-to-date with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Contact your GP to check if your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and protect against its complications. Two doses are recommended to be considered fully vaccinated. The first dose is given when your child is 12 months of age. It is important to get the first MMR on time at 12 months and not delay because measles is more severe in young children. The second dose is due when your child is in junior infants. If you or your family members have missed an MMR vaccine, it is strongly advised to schedule a vaccination appointment with your GP. With the mid-term break coming up, it is particularly important that anyone travelling to the UK ensures they have received the right number of MMR vaccines for their age.

2. Practice Good Hygiene Maintain proper hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, to reduce the risk of infection.

3. Monitor for Symptoms Stay vigilant for symptoms of measles. These include: - high fever - cough - runny nose - characteristic red rash If you or a family member develop these symptoms, or have been in contact with someone with measles, stay at home and contact your doctor by phone for advice, and inform healthcare providers of any recent travel history. If you think someone in your family has measles, phone your doctor immediately for advice. Keep the child or adult at home and refrain from visitors coming to your home unless they know they are protected against measles (they have had two doses of MMR vaccine).

MORE INFORMATION

Further information about the MMR vaccination is available at www.immunisation.ie