A health alert has been issued by the Health Service Executive, directed towards travellers who used the JJ Kavanagh bus service, number 717, from Dublin Airport to Clonmel in Co Tipperary last Saturday. This warning comes as a result of a passenger on board being diagnosed with measles.
Individuals who are pregnant, immunocompromised, or children under 12 months, and travelled on this bus, have been urged to urgently consult their GP or healthcare provider, as immediate attention and treatment can be beneficial.
Signs to watch out for include symptoms similar to common cold such as cough, sneezing and a running nose, along with a high temperature of 38 degrees or more, discomfort in the eyes, and a rash. The rash typically appears first on the head and neck before spreading to other parts of the body.
The Health Service Executive has suggested all passengers who used this service to monitor for these symptoms over the next three weeks. Should these symptoms appear, individuals are advised to self-isolate and seek medical assistance promptly.
Passengers were also advised to contact their healthcare provider before visiting to inform them about possible measles exposure so that necessary measures can be taken. Healthcare advice should be sought before proceeding with any further travel plans for anyone exhibiting these symptoms.
Those who have taken two MMR inoculations previously or have had measles are largely protected from the infection. The HSE recommends two MMR vaccinations for the best protection against measles.
So far, there have been 13 reported measles outbreaks in Ireland, with the worst one infecting up to 12 individuals. In May, warnings were issued by Unicef and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the continuous surge in measles cases across Europe.
For the first quarter of 2024, about 56,634 cases of measles and four fatalities were reported across 45 countries in the WHO European region. The preceding year saw a total of 61,070 cases and 13 fatalities over 41 countries.
Measles can result in severe health complications, particularly in pregnant individuals, children under the age of one, and immunosuppressed individuals.
The HSE initiated a programme earlier this year to distribute the measles MMR vaccine nationwide, aiming to curb the growing amount of cases. Targeting children, young adults, and healthcare professionals, this initiative looks to administer the MMR vaccine to individuals who might have overlooked it before.