Urgent HSE Holiday Warning: Highly Infectious Virus Spreading Across Europe
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has issued an urgent advisory for Irish travelers as health officials closely monitor a rapidly spreading infection across Europe. With winter travel at its peak, the HSE is urging Irish holidaymakers to take extra precautions due to a surge in measles outbreaks in popular tourist destinations.
Health authorities in Ireland have reported ongoing cases and recent outbreaks of measles across Europe, including at ski resorts. This alert comes ahead of a significant influx of international visitors for major winter sporting events in northern Italy, such as the Winter Olympics and the Paralympic Games.
In a recent travel advisory, the HSE strongly recommended that individuals planning international trips familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of measles and ensure they are up to date with their MMR vaccinations. The HSE is particularly concerned about vaccination rates falling below the World Health Organization's (WHO) target of 95%.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to severe complications. The HSE emphasizes the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks. According to the latest data from Quarter 2, 2025, MMR vaccine uptake among children aged 24 months is 87.6%, which is below the WHO's recommended threshold.
The HSE advises that anyone unsure about their vaccination status should consult their general practitioner (GP). They recommend that individuals and their family members be vaccinated against measles to protect themselves and others. The MMR vaccine is offered to all children in Ireland as part of the Primary Childhood and Schools Immunisation Programmes, with two doses administered at 12 months (MMR1) and in junior infants in primary school (MMR2).
For those who may not be up to date with their MMR vaccines, the HSE suggests arranging a vaccination with their GP. The MMR vaccine is available free of charge for individuals who are not age-appropriately vaccinated. Infants aged 6 months to <12 months are also eligible to receive the MMR vaccine free of charge at their GP's office, at least 14 days before traveling abroad.
In Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal, the MMR2 dose is administered to children aged 4-5 years by their GP. Health officials urge the public to be vigilant and recognize the early signs of measles, which include cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough, followed by sore, red eyes sensitive to light, a high fever (38C or above), small grey-white spots in the mouth, loss of appetite, tiredness, irritability, and a general lack of energy.
A few days after the initial symptoms, a measles rash appears, starting on the head or neck and spreading to the rest of the body. The rash can be flat or slightly raised and may join together into large blotchy patches, appearing brown or red on white skin and harder to see on brown and black skin. Some individuals may experience mild itching.
The HSE provides additional guidance: If you suspect someone in your family has measles or has been in contact with the virus, contact your doctor for advice. Keep the affected individual at home and restrict visitors unless they are immune to measles (having received two doses of the MMR vaccine).
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