Passengers on flight to Dublin alerted to case of measles on board

Passengers who travelled on a flight to Dublin last weekend have been urged to contact the health authorities after a case of measles was confirmed.

It is the third confirmed case of measles in Ireland this year, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.

The Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi touched down in the Irish capital at 6.30am on Saturday.

The HSE said a confirmed case of measles was on board.

They have said passengers who are pregnant women, immunocompromised or have children under the age of 12 months should contact the HSE.

They have asked other passengers on the flight to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles until March 30, which will mark 21 days from the potential time of exposure.

The HSE said symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing and cough, sore red eyes, a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above and a rash, which usually appears on the head and neck first and then spreads to the rest of the body.

They said if those symptoms are identified and illness develops, the passenger should stay at home in a separate room and seek healthcare advice, calling first to make arrangements.

They added: “HSE Public Health teams will continue to work with Etihad Airways.”

Health authorities recently warned that there is a risk of measles outbreaks in Ireland due to its population immunity dropping below the required rate.

Meanwhile the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland has also issued an appeal to some passengers on the flight who may have travelled on across the Irish border.

“Following a risk assessment with public health colleagues in the Health Service Executive (HSE), the PHA is asking any residents of Northern Ireland who were on Etihad Airways flight EY045 from Abu Dhabi to Dublin, which arrived in Dublin on Saturday March 9 2024, to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles and for those who are at greatest risk of severe illness from measles to please contact the PHA on (028) 9536 8300 as they may be eligible to access appropriate treatments,” it said.

“These treatments will work best if given within the next few days.

“Those who are at greatest risk are those who were on Etihad Airways flight EY045 and are: children under 12 months old; pregnant women; and people who are immunocompromised.”