In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Limerick, in mid-west Ireland, health officials report six additional confirmed cases, bringing the total to 10 since the beginning of the year.
Officials say this number may rise as a number of possible cases are still being investigated.
There will be a free MMR clinic in the Southill Health Centre on Friday 9th February 2018 from 10am-1pm. Health officials are calling on those living in the Carew Park and Ballinacurra Weston area of Limerick city to attend.
The best protection against measles is to be fully vaccinated with 2 doses of the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine. All children should get MMR at 12 months of age and the second dose at 4-5 years of age. If your child missed their scheduled MMR vaccine dose you should contact your GP to get the age appropriate dose.
If people are unsure of their vaccination status they are advised to get an MMR vaccine, as even if they do have 2 doses of MMR a third dose is not harmful.
In particular–parents of children aged between 1 year to 12 years of age who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine, those parents who are unsure if their children have had MMR vaccine and adults under the age of 40 years who have never had the MMR vaccine.
At this point the only way to prevent the spread of this illness is to ensure vaccination of all those who can be vaccinated. This will also protect vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated including infants, pregnant women and those with very suppressed immune systems (e.g. patients undergoing chemotherapy) Related:
- Ukraine: Measles outbreak tops 3500 cases in January, Vaccines on the way
- Scarlet fever: ‘Substantial increase in reported cases across England’
- Greece measles outbreak tops 1300 cases
- Ireland: Influenza activity remains widespread and at high levels
- Italy reports nearly 5000 measles cases in 2017, Nine out of 10 unvaccinated
