The HSE are urging people to ensure their MMR vaccinations are updated

According to the organisation, measles outbreaks and cases have been reported in many popular summer destinations.

The HSE released a statement with concern about a measles outbreak occurring in Ireland.

Measles is a highly infectious disease and spreads quickly among unvaccinated people, the HSE reports.

At the moment, cases are the highest in the following European countries:

• France
• Spain
• Romania
• Netherlands
• Belgium

The HSE also reports that many measles cases are being reported in the USA, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.

If you are travelling to the countries, the HSE strongly advise that you are up to date on your MMR vaccines.

They advise getting the vaccine two weeks before you travel.

The MMR vaccine is available for free for anyone born after January 1st 1978, who isn't age-appropriately vaccinated.

Infants aged between six months and 12 months can receive the MMR vaccine from their GP for free.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Those with the viral illness will experience cold/flu-like symptoms at first.

They will then develop sore, red eyes that are sensitive to light.

Other symptoms of measles include grey spots in your mouth, a fever, and a loss of appetite.

Patients will also have a distinctive rash that appears around days two and four. The rash is red-brown in colour and will fade after a week.

The highly infectious viral illness tends to last between seven and 10 days.

The best way to prevent measles is to get the MMR vaccine. People who have contracted measles before are unlikely to get the measles again.