Three people in the Northern Sound region have been diagnosed with measles in recent days. One of those diagnosed presented at Cavan General Hospital last week possibly exposing many others to the disease. GPs in the area were notified in writing of the local spike in cases. Management at Cavan General are in the process of writing to those who may have come into contact with the person with measles at the facility . The HSE advise anyone who suspects they have not received either or both MMR vaccines to make an appointment with their doctor to get it now.
Typically, symptoms of measles are high temperature, runny nose, sore and red eyes and a rash over the body. Dr Illona Duffy says protocols are in place to minimise the risk to everyone: "If you have concerns that you have measles it's important that you don't present to the emergency department in the hospital or do not present just to your GP surgery; that you contact both either of theses services by phone to say that you have concerns," Dr Illona told Northern Sound, "If you do require to be seen a plan can be made to get you in to ensure you're not exposing other people to the virus and plans can be made for you to be swabbed. Again, what I would say is those who may have been exposed to cases, where the cases are known, will be contacted by public health."
Meanwhile, 11 patients are waiting on trolleys in the emergency department of Cavan General Hospital this morning. All 11 are being treated on trolleys in the Emergency Department and the INMO reports there are no patients without a bed in any of the wards elsewhere in Cavan General today.
