Download Date 24/06/2011 Dear Parent/Guardian, Measles has occurred in

Health Service Executive
Public Health Function
Red Brick Building
Stewarts Hospital
Palmerstown
Dublin 20
Tel: (01) 6201776/1818/1647
Fax: (01) 6201785
Date 24/06/2011
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Measles has occurred in your child’s school.
Measles is also in the community, so those who have missed out on the vaccination are at
risk of getting and spreading the infection. Infants, children and young adults who have not
been vaccinated are most at risk of measles complications (see below).
To prevent measles, please ensure all your children’s MMR vaccinations are up to
date – the first vaccination should be given at 12 months, the second vaccination at
4 to 5 years of age.
To protect your family and help reduce the further spread of measles in your
community, please discuss MMR vaccination with your doctor without delay.
MMR vaccination given within 3 days of exposure may prevent measles developing.
Yours sincerely
Dr Mary Conlon
Senior Medical Officer
Medical Council Registration Number 01599
For further information: http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/VaccinePreventable/Measles/Guidance/
What is Measles?
Measles is due to infection by a virus. Illness begins with a runny nose, chestiness (coughing) and
high temperature.
After 1 or 2 days a reddish-brown measles rash appears. It begins around the head and neck and
can spread over the rest of the body. It is a blotchy rash with the reddened areas often joining
together so that large areas of skin look red. Spots can also occur inside the mouth.
The whites of the eyes are usually reddened and irritated and the child is generally miserable.
Symptoms usually develop about 10 days after exposure to someone with measles – but it can
take as long as 21 days.
A child with measles is infectious (can infect others) during the 4 days before the rash appears and
for the following 4 days.
What are the complications of measles?
Most healthy children get over measles without any problems but it can be more severe, especially
in young children. Measles complications include:
 Ear infections.
 Pneumonia (a severe chest infection).
 Very occasionally, brain inflammation (encephalitis) can occur that can lead to permanent
brain damage.
 Very rarely a delayed form of brain damage can appear 7 to 10 years later.
 Measles in pregnancy may cause miscarriage/abortion or a smaller baby.
 Unfortunately, measles complications can become so severe that doctors are unable to
save the child’s live.
Children with cancer or an illness that weakens the immune system can be at greater risk from
measles. When healthy children are vaccinated with MMR, they get protection themselves – and
also help stop the spread of measles in the community and so protect children at special risk.
What should I do if measles is in the household?
Telephone your doctor for advice rather than bringing the child to a clinic or hospital as this may
spread measles to others.
Please do not send a child who may have measles (even if they are not too unwell) to a crèche,
school or other places with children until at least 4 days after the rash has appeared. This will help
protect other children.
Please ensure all children in the household have their MMR vaccination up to date. If not, there is
a very high chance he/she will develop measles – so keeping that child at home for 21 days after
last exposure will help protect other children.
If a child is under 12 months and has been exposed within the previous 3 days, your doctor may
recommend MMR vaccination immediately to give short term protection, but it is essential that
MMR is given at 12 months and again at 4 to 5 years of age.
If a child has cancer or an illness that weakens the immune system and has been exposed to
measles – please ask the doctor for advice without delay.
Young adults who missed out on their two MMR vaccinations should ask their doctor for advice.
Pregnant women who are exposed to measles should ask their doctor for advice without delay.
MMR vaccination is the best way to help protect your child and others from the dangers of measles