Measles outbreak in West Cork
HPSC has been informed of a large measles outbreak in West Cork. The outbreak is predominantly affecting teenagers who are not vaccinated. In the last four weeks 25 measles cases have been reported. This compares to no cases for the first three months of 2012. The majority of notified cases have been in the 12-18 years age group with the oldest case reported being 18 years of age. No deaths have occurred and none of the teenagers were vaccinated.
All school children by the age of six years should have already received two doses of MMR vaccine to protect themselves and those too young for vaccination.