PASSENGERS on a Ryanair flight out of London have been dealt an urgent measles warning amid rising outbreak fears.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) alerted travellers on the Dublin-bound flight they may have been exposed to the contagious infection.
The plane flew from Gatwick at 8.10pm last Thursday, with those on it now urged to "be vigilant".
In a public statement, HSE said: "We ask you be particularly vigilant for symptoms of measles for 21 days from exposure - until June 7."
Measles infects the body through the respiratory tract, before spreading to cause a fever, cough and trademark rash.
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A red blotch first appears on the forehead, before spots rear their ugly heads all over the skin and inside the mouth.
The dreaded infection is considered highly contagious.
But in relieving news, passengers from the flight who received two vaccines, have previously been infected or were born in Ireland after 1978 are believed to be immune.
Those not in that camp have been warned to avoid pregnant women, babies less than a year old and people with compromised immune systems until June 7.
The HSE has implored anyone who develops symptoms to seek medical advice.
The statement said: "Phone ahead prior to attending any healthcare setting to let them know that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements to prevent potential further spread to others."
The public health unit also urged anyone not vaccinated with two doses of MMR to speak with their GPs about whether they need to be immunised.
The statement adds: "Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.
"There is also a free catch-up MMR option via participating GPs for those who may have missed their vaccination when younger."
The scare comes with new measles cases surfacing around the country.
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As of April, the total number of cases since 1 October 2023 was 1109, according to government data.
A burst in cases towards the end of 2023 was driven by an breakout in Birmingham, with that now stabilising.
The West Midlands has accounted for nearly half of all cases since October.
But now the government is concerned of cases rising in London.
In the four weeks following March 18, 40 per cent of cases were in the nation's capital, with the West Midlands in second at 25 per cent.
Around 12 per cent of cases were recorded in the East Midlands.
Most (63 per cent) contracting the infection are kids aged under 10.
