HSE issues measles alert over two Limerick sites

Visitors to shopping centre and cinema on Wednesday last week urged to be alert for symptoms

The HSE stressed only people who visited these sites during the specified times should be concerned about this notice.

A measles alert has been issued for people who visited two sites in Limerick on Wednesday of last week by Public Health HSE Mid-West.

The health body has been managing a measles outbreak since May and has now urged anyone who visited these sites to be alert for symptoms up to June 19.

The affected areas and dates are:

• KFC, Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, on Wednesday, May 29, between 16:30 and 17:20; 
• Omniplex Cinema, Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, on Wednesday, May 29, during The Garfield Movie between 17:20 and 19:00.

The HSE stressed only people who visited these sites during the specified times should be concerned about this notice.

This follows rising numbers of measles cases in Ireland with new data, published on Thursday, showing there have now been 48 cases nationally.

A further 11 cases are now under investigation, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre said.

The confirmed cases are linked to outbreaks in households, a school or extended family, with between two and seven cases in each outbreak.

A HSE Mid-West spokesman called on anyone potentially exposed to measles during those times to be alert for symptoms for 21 days from exposure, and ensure family members are up to date with MMR vaccines.

“Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed. If you are in one of these groups, please seek advice from your GP,” he said.

Early symptoms can include a runny nose, sneezing and cough as well as sore, red eyes and a temperature of 38C or above, followed by the typical red rash.

The HSE advised anyone seeking medical advice to phone ahead first so preparation could be made, as measles are so contagious. The spokesman noted anyone born in Ireland before 1978 or who had measles before is “probably immune” now.

In England, 275 cases were reported last month, bringing the total since early October to 1,749 confirmed cases, the UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday.

Most of these case have been among children aged under 10, with 33% in London and 36% in the West Midlands.

Further information about measles is on the HSE website.