Health - Thurles Information

HSE Confirms Adult Male Dies From Measles.

It is the first confirmed case of measles in Ireland this year which comes amid a recent rise in cases in the UK and Europe, has sadly resulted in the death, despite being hospitalized in the Dublin and Midlands health region, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed.
All confirmed measles cases notified since 2020 had reported recent travel to countries where outbreaks were confirmed. The deceased man, who is understood to be a Co. Westmeath native, is believed to have been travelling in the Birmingham region of the UK in recent times.
Our readers will be aware that we spoke of the high probability of an outbreak of measles, here in Ireland just two days ago, (February 6th). This is the first confirmed measles case notified in Ireland so far this year.

Public health teams and the Measles National Incident Management Team (IMT), latter established in response to a recent spike in measles cases across the UK and Europe, are understood to be taking all necessary public health actions required in relation to a possible major outbreak of the virus.

There were four measles cases reported in 2023, two in 2022, none in 2021 and five in 2020 and no deaths were reported during any of those years.

The HSE confirms that it offers the MMR vaccine to protect against measles to all children and a catch-up option for those aged 10 and under who may have missed out on vaccination previously. Persons with concerns should now contact their GP.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Ms Breda Smyth said she is concerned that Ireland is at high risk of a measles outbreak.

Keep in mind that measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children aged under one, pregnant women and the immunosuppressed.

The signs and symptoms of the measles virus 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.
A rash, which usually appears on head and neck first, before spreading to the rest of the body.

The HSE said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have reported a resurgence of measles cases in England, particularly in the West Midlands and the city of London.

Food Safety Authority Of Ireland Recall Various Food Items

**Ambrosia My Mini Rice, My Mini Custard and My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard**.

Food safety Authority recall various batches of Ambrosia My Mini Rice, My Mini Custard and My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard, due to possible presence of plastic pieces.

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, 07 February 2024.

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2024.03.
Product Identification:
Ambrosia My Mini Rice; pack size: 6 x 55g.
Ambrosia My Mini Custard; pack size: 6 x 55g.
Ambrosia My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard; pack size: 6 x 55g.

Batch Code: All best before dates up to and including End 10/2024.
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom.

Message:
The above batches of Ambrosia My Mini Rice, My Mini Custard and My Mini 30% Less Sugar Custard are being recalled due to the possible presence of plastic pieces.

Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Action Required:
Retailers: Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

______________________________________________________________

Possible presence of peanuts and crustaceans in various Jin Xuan Boa Mooncake products
Alert Summary dated Wednesday, 07 February 2024.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A07.
Allergens: Peanuts and Crustaceans.
Product Identifications and Batch Codes:
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Red Bean Paste 2 Yolks 750g 31/12/24.
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake Black Sesame 1 Yolk 750g 31/12/24.
Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake 7 Assorted (2024.A07) 710g 31/12/24.
Country Of Origin: China.

Message:
The above batches of Jin Xuan Bao Mooncake 7 Assorted may contain peanuts and crustaceans which are not declared in the list of ingredients. They may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of peanuts and / or crustaceans.

_________________________________________________________________

Undeclared sulphur dioxide in a batch of Yoki Batata Palha Tradicional.

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, 07 February 2024.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A08.
Allergens: Sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
Product Identification: Yoki Batata Palha Tradicional (potato shoestring); pack size: 105g.
Batch Code J23BRPP10.1: best before: 05/08/2024.
Country Of Origin: Brazil.

Message:
The above batch of Yoki Batata Palha Tradicional contains sulphur dioxide which is not declared in the list of ingredients. This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide.

Undeclared Sulphur Dioxide in Finnegan’s Farm Potato Croquettes.

Alert Summary dated Wednesday, February 7th, 2024.
Allergy Alert Notification: 2024.A06
Allergen: Sulphur Dioxide
Product Identification: Finnegan’s Farm Potato Croquettes; pack size: 350g
Batch Code Best before: 02/02/2024
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:
The above batch of Finnegan’s Farm potato croquettes is being recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, as it contains sulphur dioxide which is not declared in the list of ingredients. The product has passed its expiry date, however there are freezing instructions on the label and therefore consumers may have this batch in their freezers.
This may make the batch unsafe for consumers, who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphur dioxide.

High Risk Of Measles Outbreak In Ireland.

With the Health Service Executive (HSE) warning of the high probability of an outbreak of measles, here in Ireland; the Executive is now working on a programme to expedite vaccinations for teenagers and young adults.

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days.
Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40°C (104°F), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes.

Mr Stephen Donnelly (Minister for Health) is expected to discuss the matter with Cabinet Ministers today, confirming the likelihood of a significant increase of measles cases, which has been notified across Europe this winter; thus raising concerns about wide transmission of the disease in Ireland.

Due to low vaccination rates, it is estimated that up to one-fifth of the population in some Irish counties have no protection against the disease. Vaccination rates have fallen below the critical level of 95% here in Ireland, with almost 1 in 5 males aged 18 and 19 unvaccinated.
It is hoped that a programme for Leaving Cert and 3rd level college students, could encourage many of those persons, whose parents were discouraged from taking advantage of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, (the first dose of which is generally given to children around 9 months to 15 months of age), all because of a false and now long discredited link with autism.

The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly led to a major slowdown, world-wide, in immunisation efforts against one of the most contagious viruses which is so easily preventable.

The World Health Organization and the US Centre’s for Disease Control and Prevention, in November last year, both stated that there had been a massive annual rise in measles cases and resulting deaths globally.

Last July, British Health Authorities warned of a steady rise in measles cases and warned of the risk of a resurgence of the virus, particularly in large cities which could occur due to low vaccine coverage rates.
Ireland recorded only four cases of the disease in 2023, same being imported from outside the EU in a single family outbreak, however, no cases as yet have been reported so far this year.

Thomond Park, Limerick To Host Inaugural Nursing Homes Conference.

Revised funding model required for sector to cater for Ireland’s ageing population – The Alliance

Nursing home providers, health professionals and politicians will gather at Thomond Park in Limerick on February 28th next for a conference focusing on the future of nursing homes and the challenges faced by the sector.

**Pictured ahead of The Alliance “Shoulder To Shoulder” Nursing Home Expo 2024 are** *(left to right)* **Ms Karen Ronan**, *(General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau)*, **and Shane Scanlan and Marcella Scanlan of** **The Alliance**.

Ms Mary Butler TD, (Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People), will perform the opening address at The Alliance “Shoulder To Shoulder” Nursing Home Expo 2024, which is being hosted by Ireland’s newest and second largest trade association for nursing homes with the support of The Shannon Region (latter comprising County Tipperary, County Limerick and County Clare), and Conference Bureau and Guerin Media.

The closure of 60 nursing home closures during the past five years, the dangers of a multinational operator-dominated sector and the need for a revised funding model in light of Ireland’s ageing population are amongst the key issues set to dominate the conference.

The one-day inaugural event will feature an address entitled ‘Solutions for an ageing population’ by Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Mr David Cullinane ahead of a political panel discussion chaired by Newstalk presenter, former GP and columnist Dr. Ciara Kelly and featuring Mr Michael McNamara TD (Independent), Ms Patricia Ryan TD (Sinn Féin spokesperson for Older People), Senator Mr Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fáil) and Mr Richard O’Donoghue TD (Independent).

Ms Susan Cliffe, (Deputy Chief Inspector of HIQA), and Ms Auriol Kelly, (Business Manager for PTSB), will address the key nursing home industry issues of regulation and finance, while a panel discussion centering on the importance of further education will feature contributions from Ms Niamh Condon (Dining With Dignity), Mr Jonathan Murphy (Griffith College), Ms Wendy Blakely (Strategic Thinking), and Ms Carmel Kelly and Ms Clodagh Killeen (LHP Skillnet). There will also be a few surprise guests on the day, providing insights on leadership and team building.

“Nursing homes are at a critical juncture and it’s time for change” commented Mr Shane Scanlan, (CEO of The Alliance Supporting Nursing Homes).
Mr. Scanlan, who is the Director of Nursing for a small family-owned nursing home in County Kerry, added, “A significant number of nursing homes have closed since 2018 and while the funding model afforded to Nursing Homes has served its purpose for a period since its introduction in 2009 with the establishment of the Fair Deal scheme, we have reached a tipping point for the sector where we must decide the changes required to adequately fund the care of Ireland’s increasingly ageing population.
As a group of people who actively works within the sector, The Alliance membership believes official representation of our sector must improve and should comprise of those directly working in the industry,” he continued.
“We are seeing consolidation in the nursing home market from large operators which take a huge percentage of nursing home beds presently and, most likely, into the future if the current trend persists. A blended model of independent, public, voluntary and private equity funded operators is favoured over the sector being controlled by 8 to 15 large multinational operators, which would be detrimental for an ageing population.”

Mr. Scanlan said recent reports from HIQA and the ESRI have highlighted how the current funding model is no longer fit-for-purpose and has led to regional inequalities in funding with a widening of the gap between the number of beds per capita in rural areas compared to that of Dublin and the commuter belt counties.

“The Alliance is fighting for a cost of care model to be introduced where the funding in relation to residents’ care follows the individual resident on a case-by-case basis and is centred on their care needs which, in turn, would adequately fund nursing homes for all residents under their care,” he explained.
“Community-based nursing homes are no different to other local services in terms of their socio-economic benefit to the communities in which they operate,” stated Mr. Scanlan. “They allow for people to be cared for in their communities and create substantial employment which has a positive knock-on impact for local suppliers. Community-based nursing homes provide an added incentive for government to support the sector and we are very much looking forward to hearing Minister Butler outline the Government’s plans to deal with the key issues affecting our sector“.

Visit HERE for more details on The Alliance “Shoulder To Shoulder” Nursing Home Expo 2024 at Thomond Park, Limerick, on Wednesday, February 28th.