HSE Public Health Alert: Increase in measles notifications Ireland weeks

HSE Public Health Alert: Increase in measles notifications Ireland weeks 

There has been an increase in the number of measles cases reported to the HSE since the beginning of the year. This email is to inform you of the risk of cases being seen in other parts of the country, even outside the main outbreak areas (East and Northwest)

Summary

Since the beginning of the year (as of 03/04/3019)

• 48 notifications (23 confirmed(, 7 probable, 18 possible)
• The age of cases ranges from < 6 months to 35-44 years (see below)
• Most cases are unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status (data not shown) 

• The East and Northwest are mainly affected (see figure below)

Source of infection- importation

• At least 5 of the cases are believed to have been exposed while travelling in European countries and subsequent onward transmission then occurred in Ireland to contacts
• For some cases, although we have been unable to identify links to imported cases it is likely that such links exist (but cannot be identified)

Requested Actions

• For suspect cases, immediate isolation in health care settings is required to prevent transmission is required to prevent spread.
• Please raise awareness among front line staff of the risk of measles presenting in both children and adults at this time.
• A suspect case of measles should be notified to the regional Department of Public health as soon as possible, without waiting for laboratory confirmation, so that public health investigation can commence. 

Regular updates

HSPC will be updating the HPSC website on a weekly basis to in order to maintain awareness of the risk of measles in Ireland http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/measles/