A fourth case of measles has been confirmed in Ireland. 

It follows three other cases in recent weeks and this most recent case means there has been an equal number of measles patients in the first three months of 2024 as there were during the whole of 2023. 

In February, the HSE confirmed an adult has passed away after contracting measles and earlier this week officials issued an alert after a passenger on a flight from Dubai to Dublin was diagnosed with the disease.

A catch up vaccination programme is expected to get underway next week and Chief Medical Officer Dr Breda Smyth is urging unvaccinated people to book an appointment. 

“By having that 95% uptake of the vaccine, we are protecting the vulnerable in our population,” she told Newstalk.

“So, yes I am concerned about it, I would urge everyone to come out and if they are being invited to have a vaccine, to take up that offer.”

CMO Dr Breda Smyth. Photograph: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Measles can spread rapidly through the population and some people who contract it can even die. 

Even if the disease is not fatal, it can lead to serious complications - such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). 

According to the HSE, one in five people who catch measles will be hospitalised.

Main image: The arm of young adult with measles . Picture by: Alamy.com