The Health Service Executive has issued a public health alert informing individuals who attended the emergency department in the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise on 26, 28 and 29 April to be aware of possible contact with measles.
The HSE is advising anyone who attended the department between 1pm and 6pm on 26 April or between 2:40pm on 28 April to 6pm the following day that they may have been exposed to the virus.
Health officials have urged such people to be familiar of the signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from the date of contact and ensure they are vaccinated.
Symptoms of the virus include features of a cold such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough, sore red eyes or a temperature of 38C or above.
These symptoms may be followed by a rash which usually originates on the head or neck before spreading elsewhere.
People experiencing these signs should isolate themselves from others and seek medical advice.
The HSE said people who do not have two doses of the MMR vaccine should contact their GP to discuss receiving the vaccination.
It added that 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.
