ALERT: Customers at busy Limerick restaurant and cinema warned of ‘potential measles exposure’

PUBLIC Health HSE Mid West wishes to advise members of the public about the risk of measles infection to non-immune individuals in Limerick.

Since May, Public Health HSE Mid West has been managing an outbreak of measles in the Mid West region.

This follows rising numbers of measles cases in Ireland, and outbreaks across the UK and Europe in recent months. In view of these cases occurring in this short period of time there is a risk of ongoing community spread.

In a statement, Public Health HSE Mid West said they “wish to advise that members of the public may have been exposed to measles”.

Anyone in the following locations may have been exposed: 

  · In KFC, Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 16:30 to 17:20

  · In Omniplex Cinema, Crescent Shopping Centre, Dooradoyle, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 during The Garfield Movie, from 17:20 to approximately 19:00.

The public is asked to “be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from exposure (up to and including 19 June 2024).”

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed. If you are in one of these groups, please seek advice from your GP.

If you attended these two sites during these times, it is especially important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles, which include:

· Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough

· Sore red eyes

· A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above

· Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending any healthcare setting to let them know that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements.

Ensure you are vaccinated.

If you are not vaccinated against measles with two doses of MMR, please contact your GP as soon as possible during normal working hours to discuss whether you require vaccination.

If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or have had measles illness in the past, you are unlikely to require vaccination, as you are probably immune.

The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination. This can be arranged free of charge with your GP or in the HSE vaccination clinics for eligible children (over the age of 5 years) and adults for whom vaccination is indicated – the times and locations are listed on MMR vaccine Catch-up Programme – HSE.ie 

Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.

Further information about measles is available at: hse.ie/conditions/measles/ 

Contact HSE live for further information on measles (Freephone 1800 700 700)