Members of the public are being reminded of the importance of vaccinating themselves against measles.

According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), as of August 15, 38 confirmed cases of the disease have been notified since May of this year, with eight of these cases currently under investigation.

On August 12, the HPSC was notified by the Department of Public Health in Cork of a confirmed adult case of the disease. This individual was known to have attended a number of public places in Mitchelstown in Cork and Clonmel in Tipperary, including a supermarket and a primary care centre.

As a result, further members of the public may have been exposed.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a viral infection. It causes cold-like symptoms and a rash, but can also lead to more serious complications, such as breathing difficulties, pneumonia and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

The measles rash is made up of flat red or brown blothches. It usually starts on the forehead and moves downward over the face, neck and body. Other symptoms of measles can include abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

"Measles is highly infectious and is spread easily, and there is a high chance that individuals who have not been fully vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine will develop it if they are exposed.

"The time between exposure to measles virus and developing measles rash is normally 14 days (range seven-21 days). People are infectious from four days before the rash starts until four days after. If infectious cases are isolated early, the risk of transmission to vulnerable individuals decreases," explained Dr Kevin Kelleher, a consultant in public health.

The best way to protect yourself from measles is to get the MMR vaccine. This is given twice - at 12 months of age and again at four-to-five years - as part of the routine immunisation programme.

According to the HPSC, those who may be at risk of contracting measles include those who have not had measles in the past and have not been fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine.

"Babies (younger than 12 months and too young to be vaccinated as part of the routine programme), non-immune pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable if exposed," it noted.

If you have not been vaccinated or are not sure if you are vaccinated, you should speak to your GP. If you develop measles, you should stay at home and phone your GP to tell them. Do not allow visitors to your home.
Measles is a notifiable disease and GPs and hospital doctors should notify their public health department if they suspect a case.

To help keep track of your child's vaccines, see Irishhealth.com's Child Immunisation Tracker here