Schoolchild one of several confirmed measles cases

The HSE South has said it has identified four confirmed cases of the highly infectious condition, one of which was traced to a child at Tralee CBS Primary School .

Meanwhile, the HSE Mid West Department of Public Health, has also confirmed that it too is investigating ‘an outbreak’ of measles in the West Limerick area. This week, a letter was issued by the Department of Public Health office in Rathass, Tralee to parents of children attending CBS primary school in the town.

In the letter, which The Kerryman believes was sent to other schools, parents are advised that measles had been identified in a child attending the school.

They were also warned that those attending the school could also have been exposed to the condition at the Holy Communion at St John’s Church in the town on May 14 and after wards at the parish centre.

In a statement to The Kerryman on Tuesday, the HSE South Department of Public Health confirmed that ii is currently investigating four confirmed cases of measles in North Kerry and that an ‘extensive contact tracing exercise’ is being carried out.

“All known contacts of these confirmed cases are being notified and advised of the risk by relevant HSE medical personnel and the HSE is continuing to identify those who may have been exposed to prevent further transmission and ensure people are aware of the risk,” the statement read.

Dr Fiona Ryan, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, stressed however that most people will have nothing to worry about as the vast majority of people have either had measles infection or been fully vaccinated.

“We are being very cautious in this instance because measles is potentially a serious condition,” she said.

Meanwhile, the HSE Mid West Department of Public Health also confirmed that it too is currently investigating ‘an outbreak’ of measles in West Limerick, but did not say how many cases had been identified in the area.

In its letter to the parents, the HSE explained that measles is highly infectious and that anyone who has been in contact with a case of the condition are being advised to have their MMR vaccination as soon as possible.

If the child has already had the vaccination, it is advised that they have a second one (with a period of at least one month between the first and second). If your child has in fact had two injections, no further action is needed.

In its statement to The Kerryman, meanwhile, the HSE said that there is a high chance that individuals who have not been fully vaccinated will develop measles if they are exposed.

Because it may not be possible to specifically identify all those who have been exposed, the HSE is seeking to highlight the signs and symptoms which they say usually appear about 10 days after exposure.

These include irritability, a runny nose, conjunctivitis, a cough and an increasing fever that comes and goes which can usually last two to four days and can be mistaken for a cold.

A measles rash usually appears about four days after the early symptom, starting on the forehead and spreads downwards, over the face, neck and Anyone with signs or symptoms, particularly if they have not been fully vaccinated, should not go to school or work and phone their GP.