Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) is advising parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated against measles, following a massive outbreak of the illness throughout Europe.

Almost 10 percent of measles cases in Ireland this year were contracted abroad. Since the beginning of this year there have been more then 21,000 of measles cases in Europe, with seven fatalities. Many of the cases have occurred in popular holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Belgium and Italy.

In Ireland some 110 cases have been reported since January. The HSE has urged parents to check that their children have had the MMR jab before travelling. Their current immunization rate stands at 91 percent but needs to increase to 95 percent, the HSE added.

Measles is an extremely contagious illness which is caused by a virus.
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