Tipperary people are warned over measles outbreak in Limerick

The HSE is urging Tipperary people under the age of 40 to get the measles vaccination due to an outbreak of the disease in Limerick.

Some 25 confirmed cases of measles have been detected in the region this year.

The majority of these are in Limerick city and with one in Clare but linked to Limerick – almost two thirds of those affected aged between 15 and 40.

The HSE is warning that measles is a serious public health issue and is so contagious that if one person has it, 90 per cent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected.

According to HSE Mid West, patients with symptoms of measles should avoid presenting to the emergency department where possible.