A case of measles has been diagnosed at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
It comes after the individual attended the hospital’s emergency department over the weekend.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust confirmed that the person had been diagnosed with the illness, which is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing.
Measles: What you need to know about the rash, symptoms and vaccination
It is reported that around 300 people who may have been in contact with the individual have been contacted by the trust following the diagnosis.
The trust said: “Belfast Trust is aware of a confirmed case of measles in an individual who attended the Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department.
“In line with guidance from the Public Health Agency, we have written to a number of patients who may have had contact with the person in the emergency department and will continue to work closely with the PHA to ensure all appropriate public health actions are taken.”
Earlier this year, unvaccinated children and young people were urged to get the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine “as soon as possible”.
Measles is common in children and while most cases will usually clear within 10 days, it is highly infectious and can lead to potentially life-threatening complications.
The agency urged children and young adults who had not received both doses of the MMR vaccine to do so as soon as possible, to reduce their risk of catching and spreading measles.
Figures released in June showed a total of 11 cases of measles had been confirmed in Northern Ireland this year – the first confirmed cases since 2017.
The PHA launched a mass vaccination drive in collaboration with health trusts and GP surgeries for all those aged between 12 months and 25 years who missed getting one or both of their MMR vaccines first time round.
