The HSE has warned anyone showing signs of measles to stay at home and call their doctor.

The alert comes after an adult and child attended four different hospitals in Dublin while at their most contagious.

The patients, who are thought to be foreign nationals, presented at Tallaght Hospital, the Mater, Temple Street Children's Hospital and Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.

The HSE said that children aged between six and 11 months who are travelling abroad should be given the MMR vaccine.

"Measles can be a serious illness and is highly infectious," a spokesperson told the Irish Independent.

"The best protection is to be fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine.

"Currently the HSE is aware that two measles cases attended the healthcare settings while they were most infectious.

"Please do not contact the hospitals if you think you may have come into contact with a case of measles. Seek advice from your GP if you become unwell."

Measles has caused 31 deaths across Europe so far this year, with most cases reported in Romania, Greece, France and Italy.

Symptoms of the disease include a cough, runny nose, red eyes and a high fever as well as a blotchy red rash.