THE HSE has confirmed another outbreak of measles in Limerick this Wednesday afternoon.
This brings the total number of cases to 10 in the city.
In a number of statements from the HSE, a spokesperson for the Health Protection Surveillance Centre gave the following information.
“There is an ongoing outbreak of measles in Limerick City since 3rd January. A total of ten cases have been confirmed to date. A number of further possible cases are being investigated so this figure may rise.
“The Measles Outbreak Control Team is continuing to investigate the measles cases and offer advice on the measures to control the further spread of this potentially serious illness.
“University Hospital Limerick has advised that strict visiting restrictions remain in force in light of the ongoing measles outbreak in Limerick City. One visitor per patient only between 2pm and 4pm and between 6pm and 9pm only. UHL also requests that children are not brought on hospital visits.
“The HSE has run a vaccination clinic in the area where cases have been notified and further clinics are planned.
“The best protection against measles is to be fully vaccinated with 2 doses of the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine.”
There will be a free MMR clinic in the Southill Health Centre on Friday 9th February 2018 from 10am-1pm. We are calling on those living in the Carew Park and Ballinacurra Weston area of Limerick city to attend.
Those in particular risk include
- 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.
- Adults under the age of 40 years who have never had the MMR vaccine
Measles symptoms include: high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and red rash that starts on head and spreads down the body- this normally starts a few days after onset of illness. The rash consists of flat red or brown blotches, which can flow into each other. It lasts about 4-7 days.
Anyone who develops measles symptoms should:
- Stay at home from work or college. Children should not attend school or crèche. Keep isolated from other people so as to prevent spreading the illness.
- Call the Department of Public Health at 061 – 483338 to advise that you think you/your child may have measles.
- Telephone your GP and advise them that you think you have symptoms of measles (and if you know that are a contact of a case of measles) so that they can see you at a time/place when no one else is there (to avoid infecting others).
- Your GP may organise a test to confirm the diagnosis – this is usually done by using a small swab that takes a sample of the oral fluid from the mouth.
Patients with symptoms of measles should avoid presenting to the emergency department where possible. If it is necessary to seek urgent care, it is important to inform the ambulance service or emergency department that you have symptoms consistent with measles beforehand so that the appropriate precautions can be taken. Similarly, if you have been in contact with a confirmed case of measles and are seeking medical attention, please inform the healthcare provider before attending
For more information on measles see: http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/measles/
Adam Leahy 
Svetlana Rodrigues