HSE issues urgent public health alert over possibility some may have been exposed to measles

A stock picture of a doctor giving children vaccinations

The HSE has issued an urgent warning to the public that people may have been exposed to measles in the last 14 days.

It comes as a 48-year-old man with a confirmed case of  measles passed away earlier this week. 

It is understood that the man from Westmeath had been at an event in Birmingham in the last few weeks where he may have caught the virus.

The "urgent public health alert" issued on Friday applies to people who were travelling on a bus route or who ate in a restaurant in the Midlands. 

Specifically, they have issued pleas to anyone who was:

• Travelling on Bus Éireann Route 115 (Dublin – Mullingar/Mullingar-Dublin) between Tuesday January 30 and February Monday 5 
• In a restaurant in Mullingar Business Park on Monday January 29, between 2pm and 4.30pm.

They have asked people in those situations to be alert for symptoms of measles and to make sure they and their family are fully up to date with their MMR vaccines.

The HSE said: "If you travelled on the bus route or attended a restaurant in Mullingar Business Park during the dates and times above, it is especially important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles".

These include:

• Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough 
• Sore red eyes 
• A temperature of 38C or above
• Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body 

"If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending any healthcare setting to let them know that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements."

At the moment, there is also a free catch-up MMR option via participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccination when younger.