DUBLIN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- An outbreak of measles was reported in the mid-west region of Ireland, said a local health organization here on Thursday.
A total of 27 measles cases have been confirmed in the region since the beginning of this year, said Health Service Excutive (HSE), a state agency responsible for the public health services in Ireland.
The majority of these cases are found in Limerick, a major city in the country's west, said the HSE in a press release on its website.
Only one case is found in Clare, a county close to Limerick, said the HSE, adding that the case is also linked to Limerick.
Almost two thirds of the patients are people aged between 15 and 40 years, demonstrating that measles is not just an illness of childhood, said the HSE. Half of these patients have been hospitalized, it said.
To prevent the spread of measles, the HSE has set up a temporary vaccination clinic in Limerick while urging adults aged under 40 across the mid-west region of the country to get the free vaccination against measles.
According to the HSE, there are a number of large outbreaks of measles reported in Europe and across the world currently.
