Urgent measles warning to all passengers on Ryanair flight out of London

Passengers on board a London-Dublin flight may have been exposed to measles, according to health officials.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is advising passengers and crew on board Ryanair flight FR123 between Gatwick and Dublin at 8.10pm last Thursday that they may have been exposed to the contagious disease.

In a public-health statement, the HSE said: “We ask you to be particularly vigilant for symptoms of measles for 21 days from exposure – until June 7.” It said those who have either received two MMR vaccines, have previously been infected with measles, or were born in Ireland before 1978, are “probably immune”.

Those who are not are asked to avoid contact with vulnerable individuals including pregnant people, babies under the age of 12 months, and people with a weakened immune system until after June 7.

Healthcare workers are asked to inform their line manager that they have been in contact with a measles case. Signs and symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough.

Other symptoms include sore red eyes, a temperature of 38C or above, and a rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body.

The HSE said: “If you develop these symptoms, please seek medical advice. 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.”