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A child was tonight fighting for its life after contracting pneumonia from an outbreak of measles, health chiefs confirmed.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) urged parents nationwide to make sure their children are vaccinated against the disease after a surge in cases.
Medics raised concerns that the outbreak, which started in August, could spread among youngsters who have not being protected.
Dr Suzanne Cotter, a specialist in public health medicine, said 11 cases have been reported to date in this month, bringing the total to 75 so far this year.
“This compares to 50 for the same period in 2008,” said Dr Cotter.
“Eighteen people have been hospitalised with measles this year and no deaths have been reported.”
The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre revealed one youngster has been left battling pneumonia as a result of the measles infection and is in intensive care and on ventilation.
Dr Cotter said in 80 per cent of cases the children were aged under 10 years, with 30 per cent of those aged between one and two years.
The majority of cases have occurred among children from the Traveller community.
“Measles is highly infectious and can cause severe illness and occasionally cause death,” continued Dr Cotter.
“An outbreak in 2000 resulted in more than 1,600 cases and three deaths.
“As vaccination with the MMR is the only way to prevent measles infection, all parents must make sure their children have received the recommended two doses of the vaccine.
“While the first dose is usually given at 12 months of age by GPs and the second in school at 4-5 years of age, the vaccine can be received at any time.”
