Measles epidemic confirmed

[Posted: Sat 26/08/2000 - www.irishhealth.com]

A measles epidemic is infecting the country, with 1221 cases reported so far this year, compared to 73 cases last year. This is the highest level of measles seen in the State in the past five years.

A spokesperson with the National Disease Surveillance Centre, (NDSC), confirmed for irishhealth.com, that the Eastern Regional Authority has been hit the worst, with 997 cases reported so far this year, contrasting with just 50 for the same period during the previous year. The epidemic began to emerge in Dublin at Christmas, but has since spread to the rest of the country.

The National Disease Surveillance Centre, (NDSC), believe that the huge increase has come about through parents not vaccinating their children against measles.

The MMR vaccine, which is free, can prevent measles in over 90% of cases. The uptake of the MMR vaccine in Ireland is well below what is required to prevent a measles outbreak, with some health boards regions falling almost 30% below the recommended rate of immunisation.

The NDSC believe the low uptake of the MMR vaccine is due, in part, to concerns that it can lead to the development of autism. They do not think there is enough evidence to support this claim, and urge parents to have their children vaccinated.

Measles is the most dangerous of the children's diseases, and can even lead to facial numbing, meningitis and pneumonia. It is caught through direct contact with an infected person, or through the air by coughing and sneezing. The disease is so contagious that it can spread from room to room, even when a patient is in isolation.

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Anonymous   Posted: 17/11/2005 17:07

What I would like to know and is of those who contracted the measles, what percentage had been vaccinated against it?

Sandra(JQA55740)  Posted: 29/04/2008 22:24

If a child is not vaccinated from Measles until 12-15 months how can I protect my daughter from now until then. She is only 4 months old now.

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