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File photo of a measles-like rash Shutterstock/Aleksandr Finch

Twenty measles cases confirmed in Ireland so far this year

A further 13 suspected cases are under investigation.

TWENTY MEASLES CASES have been confirmed in Ireland to date this year, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

Three outbreaks – where two or more confirmed cases are related – have occurred so far in 2024.

These three outbreaks all occurred in private houses and involved four cases, three cases, and two cases respectively.

In addition to the 20 confirmed cases, a further 13 probable or possible cases are currently under investigation.

Each suspected case of measles needs to be tested in a laboratory before being confirmed as measles or denotified. Several possible measles cases have been declassified in recent weeks.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed.

It typically starts with cold-like symptoms that develop about 10 days after a person gets infected. The person will get a rash a few days later.

Symptoms include:

  • Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
  • Sore red eyes
  • A temperature of 38 degrees celsius or above
  • A rash, which usually appear on the head and neck before spreading to the rest of the body

The illness usually lasts for seven to 10 days. You can read more in our explainer on the disease here.

Vaccine

A new MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine) catch-up vaccination programme has been rolled out amid fears of a possible outbreak here.

Some 310,000 people will be eligible for the vaccine under the programme which is estimated to cost €4.6 million. The vaccines will be administered by GPs and HSE vaccination teams.

Under the new programme, children and young adults not already vaccinated will be prioritised for vaccination.

The next priority group will be healthcare workers, followed by underserved groups such as homeless people, refugees and international protection applicants.

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23 Comments
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    Mute Shane Dunne
    Favourite Shane Dunne
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    Nov 13th 2017, 8:06 PM

    Inside Job. Somebody who works there knows something.
    I’d wager a small goat on it.

    120
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    Mute Séa Graham
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    Nov 13th 2017, 8:09 PM

    @Shane Dunne: off to Tullamore with ya! You’d obviously be an excellent detective. Do you make a habit of slandering people you don’t know with your detecting?

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    Mute Billy McNamara
    Favourite Billy McNamara
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    Nov 13th 2017, 8:11 PM

    @Shane Dunne: I’d bet a two year old bullock on it.

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    Mute Shane Dunne
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    Nov 13th 2017, 8:44 PM

    @Billy McNamara: *Spit Shake* we’ll let Séa solve the case for us and settle up when he returns the verdict.

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    Mute Steve Austin
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    Nov 13th 2017, 9:27 PM

    @Séa Graham: I know notin about it Boss.

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    Mute Tom Phelan
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    Nov 13th 2017, 8:53 PM

    Not safe and full of cash.

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    Mute Paul Mc Caffrey
    Favourite Paul Mc Caffrey
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    Nov 13th 2017, 8:26 PM

    Is it about a bicycle?

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    Mute Ollie Conroy
    Favourite Ollie Conroy
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    Nov 14th 2017, 2:40 AM

    It amazes me how high value items such as cigarettes don’t have cereal numbers like phones or TVs that can be traced when there is a large theft like this. I wonder do the garage owners actually do safe drops too? Why in this age would you keep a large amount of cash on site ?

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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
    Favourite Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Nov 14th 2017, 6:30 AM

    @Ollie Conroy: Why would cigarettes have cereal numbers, when they’re made of tobacco?

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    Mute TheGrey Gimp
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    Nov 13th 2017, 11:23 PM

    The garage in financial difficulties perhaps

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    Mute Gerard Tiernan
    Favourite Gerard Tiernan
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:32 AM

    Terrible to hear this, a great local ran shop in a lovely area.

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