The Director of the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has warned that cases of measles are likely to rise during the summer months.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr Kevin Kelleher said that cases of measles in Ireland are "as high as we have seen for a number of years" and are of concern.
Dr Kelleher said between 30 and 40 cases have already been reported this year, with ten cases reported in one week.
And he warned that we there will probably be another burst of cases as the summer months approach.
He explained there is an increase in measles throughout the world. It has, he said, been a feature of Eastern Europe and Russia and cases are spreading as travel becomes easier.
Dr Kelleher added that there have been large outbreaks in France and Italy.
"We will probably see another burst in the summer months because we have travel again - quite active travel," said Dr Kelleher. "Both within Ireland and then people will be travelling abroad where there is measles very active now in southern Europe."
He said current vaccination rates in Ireland are not good enough with take up rates up to 8% below what they should be in some parts of the country.
Dr Kelleher said that measles is "probably the most infectious disease that we know of" and advised anyone, who has not already received the vaccine, to get one.
"People should make sure that they are properly vaccinated. That's adults up into their 40s and their children, before they travel, particularly this summer, because they will get measles.
"It's very clear it's going to happen."
Until recently, Dr Kelleher said, Ireland has done well with immunisation rates but mandatory vaccine may have to be considered in the future.
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