The HSE is urging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles following what it described as a "significant" rise in cases in parts of the UK and Europe.
It has called on people to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus, including making sure children have an up-to-date MMR vaccine which also protects against mumps and rubella.
Director of the National Immunisation Office for the HSE, Dr Lucy Jessop said the virus can spread quickly between people who are not vaccinated, and it can potentially be serious - particularly for babies and vulnerable groups.
She said: "Getting vaccinated against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella is vitally important as these conditions can also lead to other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
"Remember, if you or your child has missed their childhood vaccines, it's not too late to catch up."
She told the Today with Claire Byrne programme that Measles is extremely contagious and one case can spread to up to twelve other people very easily.
Dr Jessop said that with the mid-term break coming up, many people may be travelling to and from Ireland and that people are contagious for several days before they break out in the rash.
She urged parents and guardians to check with their GP and ensure their children are fully vaccinated.
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95% of the population needs to be vaccinated
Meanwhile, a GP, has said there is growing concern that the amount of people vaccinated against measles in Ireland is not meeting the key percentage needed to provide overall protection and reduce cases of the virus.
Dr Ilona Duffy said around 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated in order to ensure everyone is protected, but that figure is currently below 90%.
Dr Duffy said there were a number of reasons behind this, including new cohorts of people arriving in Ireland who do not believe in the benefits of vaccines.
She told RTÉ's Morning Ireland: "When we had lots of cases of measles, mumps, rubella and other more serious illnesses, people understood how deeply serious they were and how they could lead to death and permanent disability.
"But because we aren't seeing that and that's not been reported, and people have forgotten the benefit of the vaccines and the need for them."
Dr Duffy said data collected in the US has shown that one in five people who develop measles will be hospitalised.
"One in a 1,000 will develop swelling in their brain - they'll develop a disease called encephalitis which is very serious. And about one to three out of every thousand people in the USA have been reported as dying as a result of measles. These are high figures," she added.
Symptoms for measles include a high fever, cough, runny nose, or a characteristic rash.
Anyone who develops these symptoms or has been in contact with someone with measles is advised to stay at home and contact their doctor.
The HSE said that further information can be found on its website.
