Cork measles outbreak worsens

[Posted: Sat 30/06/2012 www.irishhealth.com]

The number of cases of measles in the current outbreak in west Cork has now risen to 64, according to the HSE.

This compares to 51 cases reported at the beginning of June.

The HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) says to date nationally, there have been 101 measles cases reported, and 64 of these are linked to the measles outbreak in Co. Cork. Four children have been hospitalised to date.

The HPSC says while this outbreak initially affected mainly unvaccinated teenagers, there is now some evidence of it spreading to children in younger age groups.

The HSE has again reminded all parents to ensure that their children, if one year old or over, are up to date with their MMR vaccination.

The first MMR dose is usually given at 12 months and the second at 4-5 years. Parents whose children may have missed either dose are advised to contact their GP.

The HPSC believes the west Cork outbreak is linked to the reluctance of many parents in the area to have their children vaccinated.

There are concerns that the Cork outbreak could spread to other areas of the country which have a lower than average vaccine uptake unless children get vaccinated.

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See also www.immunisation.ie