Adults urged to get vaccine over measles outbreak

The HSE continues to urge adults aged under 40 across the Mid West to get the MMR vaccine, which is available free from GPs.
 
There are now 28 confirmed measles cases linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Mid-West region. The majority of these are in Limerick City. There is one associated case in Clare, one in Dublin and one in Galway - all linked to the Limerick outbreak. There are also a number of cases in the South East area, which are possibly linked to the Limerick outbreak.

Over two thirds of cases are aged between 15 and 50 years. As cases are continuing to occur, the HSE is advising that adults who have not had measles infection in the past to ensure that they have had two doses of MMR vaccine. There is a risk of ongoing exposure especially for those whose work involves meeting large numbers of people, e.g. people who work with children, people who work in healthcare, those who work in education, those working in public offices or public services, and those who work in retail premises and those who attend healthcare premises, either as patients or visitors..

Parents should also ensure that their children are up to date with their MMR vaccinations. Those due to sit exams should ensure they are vaccinated due to the potential disruption to their exams that measles infection could cause.

There was a 400% increase in the number of measles cases in Europe in 2017 compared with 2016. There are large ongoing outbreaks in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Romania and across the world. Measles can be transmitted easily within the confined space of an airplane to people who are non-immune. MMR is especially important in those who are planning to travel abroad.

The HSE is providing a free MMR vaccination clinic (no appointment needed) at Barrack View Primary Care Centre, Edward Street, Limerick, this Thursday, April 12th, from 3-4pm. Additionally, for the duration of this outbreak, MMR vaccination is free of charge to the public from GPs as the HSE is paying for the vaccine and for the GPs to give the vaccine.

Measles is a serious public health issue. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected. It is spread easily through coughing and sneezing. Measles can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain and can, in rare cases, lead to a fatal disease of the brain, which develops years after the infection. The mortality rate from measles infection is 1-2 per 1,000 cases.

This measles outbreak is continuing because we do not have herd immunity – i.e: the proportion of the population immune to measles is less than 95%.

The only effective protection against measles is two doses of the MMR vaccine. Anyone who has not had two doses of MMR is at high risk of getting measles if they come in contact with someone who has it. Many adults this age also have young children, which means they are more likely to be exposed to measles and may in turn expose their babies and young children to measles if they get it.

HSE Advice for adults
The following groups, in particular, should check if they have had two doses of MMR and if not, visit their GP to get immunised as soon as possible. If people do not have a medical record of their vaccination, it is not harmful to have extra doses to be on the safe side.

•    Parents under the age of 40 who have never had measles or haven’t had the full course of MMR vaccine
•    Adults under the age of 40 who work with the public. Some jobs pose more of a risk than others, e.g. people who work with children, people who work in healthcare, those who work in education, those working in public offices or services and those who work in retail premises. Measles is very infectious and, as this outbreak continues, the risk of exposure continues.
•    Couples under the age of 40 who may be planning a family. This is as once a woman is pregnant she is unable to get the MMR vaccine until after the baby arrives. Measles increases the risk of miscarriage and still birth. There is no treatment available which reduces this risk.
•    Adults and young people under the age of 40 who plan to travel abroad in the coming months. There are a number of large outbreaks of measles in Europe (the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Romania) and across the world currently. Measles can be transmitted easily within the confined space of an airplane to people who are non-immune.

Measles vaccine was introduced in Ireland in 1985 and MMR in 1988.
•    Most of those aged over 40 are immune to measles due to natural infection.
•    Most aged 35 - 40 years have had neither measles infection nor MMR vaccination.
•    Those aged 30 - 34 may have received 1 dose of MMR.
•    Those aged under age 30 years would have had the opportunity to get two doses of MMR but uptake was less than 70% for some age groups.

HSE advice for children
It is also important that parents of children in the region also check if their children have had the vaccines appropriate for their age (1st one at 1 year, 2nd one in Junior Infants in primary school). Parents whose children are sitting exams may wish to prioritise this due to the potential disruption to their exams an infection could cause. It is also especially important in those who are planning to bring their children abroad.
 
People who cannot get the MMR vaccine, i.e. young infants, pregnant women and those whose immune systems are weakened (cancer patients etc.) are relying on the people around them who can get the MMR vaccine to help protect them.

 
HSE advice for people who have symptoms of measles infection (rash, fever, cough, temperature)
•    Stay at home from work. Children should not attend school or crèche.
•    Call the Department of Public Health at 061 – 483338 to advise that you think you/your child may have measles.
•    Telephone your GP so that they can see you at a time/place when no one else is there (to avoid infecting others).
•    Your GP may organise a test to confirm the diagnosis – this is usually done by using a small swab that takes a sample of the oral fluid from the mouth.
 
Patients with symptoms of measles should avoid presenting to the emergency department where possible. If it is necessary to seek urgent care, it is important to inform the ambulance service or emergency department that you have symptoms consistent with measles beforehand so that the appropriate precautions can be taken. Similarly, if you have been in contact with a confirmed case of measles and are seeking medical attention, please inform the healthcare provider before attending.
 
An Outbreak Control Team made up of representatives from the HSE is involved in managing the outbreak in an effort to prevent further spread. This involves following up on every case of measles or suspected measles, arranging vaccination for people who have been in contact with someone who is infected, running immunisation clinics and outbreak communications.
 
For more information on measles see: http://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/vaccinepreventable/measles/

For more information about the MMR see www.immunisation.ie/