Public Health Alert: Possible Exposure to Measles

HSE Public Health is advising that members of the public may have been exposed to measles on board Ryanair flight FR123 from London Gatwick to Dublin on Thursday, 16 May at 20:10hrs.

• This alert relates to passengers and crew who were on board Ryanair flight FR123 from London Gatwick to Dublin on Thursday, 16 May 2024 at 20:10hrs.
• We ask you to be particularly vigilant for symptoms of measles for 21 days from exposure (until 7 June 2024)
• If you have received two MMR vaccines, have previously been infected with measles, or were born in Ireland before 1978, you are probably immune.
• If you are not probably immune please avoid contact with vulnerable individuals (including pregnant people, babies under the age of 12 months, and people with a weakened immune system) until 7 June 2024.
• If you are a healthcare worker please inform your line manager that you have been in contact with a measles case.

HSE Public Health is advising

Be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from the time of possible exposure (until 7 June 2024).

Signs and symptoms of measles 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 develop 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 to prevent potential further spread to others.

If you have received two MMR vaccines, have previously been infected with measles, or were born in Ireland before 1978, you are probably immune.

If you are not probably immune, avoid contact with vulnerable individuals for 21 days from the time of possible exposure (until 7 June 2024).

Inform your line manager that you have been exposed to measles if your work involves contact with vulnerable people.

Vulnerable people include:

• pregnant women
• babies under 12 months of age
• people with weakened immune system

MMR Vaccine

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

The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination.

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.

There is also a free catch-up MMR option via participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccination when younger.

Further information about measles is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/

This alert relates to the specific flight outlined above.