The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has reported nine cases of suspected measles here, as of Saturday 3 February.
The figures are contained in its Weekly Infectious Disease Report and are provisional as they have yet to be confirmed by laboratory testing.
Seven of the cases are reported as possible cases of measles and two are of probable measles.
It comes as regional teams from the HSE are working to get in touch anyone who may have been in contact with an adult who died after contracting measles this week.
Dr Greg Martin, National Clinical Lead for the centre, said the disease is highly contagious for those who are not fully vaccinated.
"The public health teams in the regions are identifying anybody that may have been in contact with this particular person, who might be at risk. People at risk or people that haven't had the two MMR vaccines," he said.
"The MMR is an extremely effective vaccine, but people that haven't had the two vaccines will be identified, will be spoken to and given advice and given an offer the vaccine if necessary."
It has been more than two decades since there was last a death from measles in Ireland, which occurred back in the year 2000.
Dr Martin sent his condolences to the family of the person who died, and said he and his colleagues working in health "feel tremendously sorry for them at this time".
He said the death underlined the importance of the disease and just how dangerous it can be.
The advice to anyone who suspects they have it or who has symptoms is to ring their GP initially, rather than going to their surgery. Children should be kept home from school.
Dr Martin said: "Don't go straight to the GP surgery because you may be putting other people in that surgery at risk.
"If you phone your GP, they'll give you advice over the phone or if you're unwell they may suggest that you come and see the GP, but they'll arrange for that to be done in a way that is safe and doesn't put anybody at risk."
After the early symptoms which include cold-like symptoms, aches and pains, sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light, a high temperature and small greyish- white spots in the mouth, a rash can then start.
Rashes are usually on the head and neck, spreading down the body. Other symptoms include feeling tired and losing appetite.
Dr Martin says whilst many recover completely it can have serious complications like Encephalitis, which is a swelling of the brain or pneumonia, and in some cases, even death.
Children under ten who may have missed out on two doses can get the vaccine free of charge from their GP, he said.
An expansion programme rolling this out to older age groups, including young men and students is being examined by the HSE and is expected soon.
'Very important that people seek medical advice early'
Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children aged under one, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed.
The signs and symptoms include:
- Cold-like symptoms such as aches and pains, a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
- Sore red eyes that may be sensitive to light
- A temperature of 38C or above, which may reach around 40C
- Small greyish-white spots in the mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness, irritability and a general lack of energy
- Rash, which usually appears two to four days after the first symptoms on head and neck first, and spreads to the rest of the body
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Lucy Jessop, HSE National Immunisation Lead and Consultant in Public Health Medicine said early intervention in suspected cases of measles is effective in stopping the spread of infection.
"It is very important people seek medical advice early so we can take appropriate public health measures, so that we can control the spread of any further infections."
"This is our first case this year ... we do have very high awareness amongst our public health professionals, so they are very much keeping a watch."
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The MMR vaccine is the most effective measure against measles and it is nearly 100% effective if someone has had two MMR vaccines, Dr Jessop said.
The HSE are currently looking at options on how to increase the uptake of this vaccine, she added.
"We already have a programme within our GP practices where any families, who think their children who are ten years and younger haven't had their two doses of the MMR, can go to the GP and get that."
She said when two or more cases are linked "in time and in place" it is considered an outbreak.
The MMR vaccine cannot be given to those aged under one, so this age group is "particularly vulnerable", Dr Jessop said.
GP Dr Maire Finn said low vaccination rates have become a major problem in Ireland, with uptake lower than 80% in some counties.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Colm O Mongáin, she said: "I think people became tired of the whole idea of vaccination and being told what to do - vaccinations are without a doubt one of the best medical interventions that were developed in the 20th century and save millions of lives every year.
"And when people make a decision about vaccination for their own child or own selves, they may do that for personal reasons, but that has a knock-on effect for society as a whole.
"One of the messages I'd like to get out about vaccination, you’re not doing it for you alone, you’re doing it for society at large."
