HEALTH chiefs have issued an urgent measles alert after confirming a case of the serious infection on a Dublin Airport bus. The warning from the HSE is for people who travelled on JJ Kavanagh bus number 717 from Dublin Airport to Clonmel departing at 4pm last Saturday, August 17. All passengers on the bus are urged to be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for the next two to three weeks.
Measles is a highly contagious illness most commonly recognised by red spots or a rash. The Department of Public Health HSE Dublin and South East took to X, formerly Twitter , to urge those who travelled on the bus to watch out for any potential symptoms. They said: "For any passenger on this bus journey who is a pregnant woman, immunocompromised, or under the age of 12-months-old please immediately contact your GP or hospital clinician for advice.
"This is because immediate treatment may be beneficial. "Be aware of signs & symptoms of measles for the next two to three weeks 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 & neck first and spreads to rest of body." Measles spreads to those in close contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing.
The HSE have warned if you have any symptoms, you should stay at home in a separate room and seek healthcare advice. They added: "Important to phone ahead prior to attending any healthcare setting to let them .