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🇫🇮 Finland /Health & Science

Measles Patient Traveled on Viking Glory Ferry, Health Institute Warns

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • A person with measles traveled on Viking Glory and Eckerö Linjen ferries last week, according to Finland's Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
  • The individual also had contact with Sweden's Urkult music festival, where 24 measles cases have been linked.
  • THL advises those on the same ferry routes or attending the festival to check their measles vaccination status, though the risk of infection from the ferries is considered small as the infected person was vaccinated.

Finland's Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has issued a warning after a person infected with measles traveled on popular ferry routes last week. The individual was aboard the Viking Glory ferry on August 13, traveling from Turku to Stockholm via Mariehamn, departing Mariehamn at 2:25 PM. They also traveled on an Eckerö Linjen ferry from Grisslehamn, Sweden, to Eckerö on August 15, departing at 8:00 PM.

Further investigations revealed the infected person also attended the Urkult music festival in Sweden's Västernorrland county between July 31 and August 1. As of August 20, Swedish health authorities reported 24 measles cases linked to the festival. Many of those affected were children and unvaccinated individuals.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through airborne transmission, meaning proximity in the same indoor space can be sufficient for infection. However, THL notes that the infected individual in this case was vaccinated, significantly reducing the risk of further transmission. The risk of contracting measles from the ferry journeys is considered small.

"Even a vaccinated person can contract measles if the exposure is strong, but the disease will be milder and the risk of further infections is very small," explained Mia Kontio, development director at THL. The infectious period for measles begins four days before a rash appears and continues for four days after its onset.

Rokotettukin voi sairastua tuhkarokkoon, jos altistus on voimakasta, mutta tauti on silloin lievempi ja riski jatkotartunnoille on hyvin pieni.

— Mia KontioTHL's development director explained the implications of a vaccinated person contracting measles.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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