Measles Outbreak In Dublin And Meath Set To Worsen According To Doctors

The measles outbreak that's currently ravaging Dublin and Meath is set to worsen, according to an Irish doctor. 

Fears that the illness will spread to other counties have grown once more as Dr. Paul Kavanagh, a specialist in public health medicine, and Director of Public Health for HSE North East spoke to the Irish Mirror earlier this week. 

"The measles outbreak is still ongoing. This could escalate further. It is something we are concerned about but it has stabilised. There are 17 confirmed cases. The outbreak is affecting people in Meath and Dublin. It is affecting children and adults. It is affecting people who have had the MMR vaccine. Make sure you are fully vaccinated. Ring ahead to your family doctor."

Both children and adults have been affected in the most recent outbreak. The symptoms that may arise the indicate the onset of measles are:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Red rash that starts on head and spread 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.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea and tummy pain may also happen.

Should you contract the illness, you can prevent spreading the disease to other people by doing the following:

• Do not leave your home, except if you need to visit your GP.
• Stay at home and phone your GP. Tell them that you think you might have measles.
• Ask visitors not to come to the house.
• Avoid pregnant women.

The HSE has also advised that the general public should be aware of the possible risk of spread of measles when attending healthcare services such as GPs or Emergency Departments.

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