The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has revealed that the number of confirmed measles cases has seen a disturbing rise from six to nine. Additionally, as the week began, there were ten potential or likely measles cases under probe, with four each under observation in HSE Dublin and the North East, and South East Dublin. Dublin and Midlands, and the South West have reported one case each. However, the West, Mid West, and the North West regions have reported no cases.
Official statistics disclose that all of the first eight suspected cases reported to the HPSC occurred in individuals who were 34 years old or younger. A significant tragedy occurred earlier this year when one individual, hailing from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, passed away from measles after getting infected by the disease in Birmingham, England.
The prevalence of ongoing measles outbreaks in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe has triggered an enhanced sense of alertness about the disease amongst doctors in Ireland. As a counteractive measure, the Health Service Executive has initiated a catch-up strategy for administering the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine in the outbreak of increased measles cases in Europe. However, vaccination levels currently remain below the 95% threshold deemed essential for establishment of herd immunity against this disease.
Over 300,000 individuals, who might have missed their vaccines in the past, notably including young adults, children, and health workers, have become the focus of this campaign which aims to administer the MMR vaccine.
In terms of symptoms, the effect of measles on individuals fluctuates. Common signs include runny noses, sneezing, coughing, as well as red and sore eyes, fever over 38 degrees Celsius, and an original rash in the head and neck region.
Typically, the measles vaccine is administered in two doses when the child is 12 months and then between four and five years old. However, the HSE declares that children travelling to areas with outbreaks can receive the vaccine as early as six months old. These children, however, would still need another dose of the vaccine after they have turned a year old to ensure continued protection.