HSE issues alert for measles at children’s play centre

The Health Service Executive has issued an alert warning families that they may have been exposed to measles at a children’s play centre in Dublin.

Following confirmation of a measles case in the Dublin 15 area, the Department of Public Health and the HSE have advised anyone who visited Ship Shape Kids Play in Castleknock on the afternoon of 4 April that they may have been exposed to the virus.

In a statement, the department and HSE said they are not asking children or their parents/guardians to avoid attending the facility and that it is not under any restrictions.

Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Suzanne Cotter said the public health alert was to make sure that anyone who attended the centre would be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of measles if they were there on the date in question.

“While there is always a risk of catching an infectious disease while in any congregated setting, we are not asking anyone to avoid this play centre,” she said.

The HSE has advised people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days from the time of possible exposure, which in this case would be until 25 April.

It said children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed are particularly vulnerable.

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
-A rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

Anyone with symptoms is advised to seek medical advice and to phone ahead before attending a healthcare facility.

The HSE has also advised people to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations.

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