People who attended the hospital on a number of days last month are being alerted.
A public health alert is being issued after a measles case at Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
The HSE says people who attended the ED on Friday, April 26th between 1pm and 6pm, and between Sunday at 2.40pm and 6pm on Monday, may have come into contact with the virus.
Dr Desmond Hickey, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, says the best form of protection against measles is through MMR Vaccination:
The Health Service has this advice for people who may have been affected:
1. Be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from the time of possible exposure. These include:
· Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
· Sore red eyes
· A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
Followed by:
· Rash, which usually appears on the head and neck first and spreads to the rest of the body
If you develop these symptoms, please isolate yourself from others and seek medical advice.
Phone ahead before attending any healthcare setting to let them know that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements to prevent potential further spread to others.
2. MMR Vaccine
If you are not vaccinated against measles with two doses of MMR, please contact your GP during normal working hours to discuss whether you require vaccination. If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or had measles, you are unlikely to require vaccination, as you are probably immune.
The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination. Please make sure that you and your family are up to date with MMR vaccines. This can be arranged with your GP.
Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.
For those who may have missed their vaccination when younger, there is a free catch-up MMR option available from participating GPs.
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