Measles Spreads at Swedish Music Festival, 11 Infected

Measles has affected at least 11 people, primarily children, following music festivals in Sweden during late July and early August, according to the Public Health Agency. The infections are suspected to stem from the Urkult folk music festival, held from July 30 to August 1 in Västernorrland county. Cases have been reported throughout Sweden, including in Stockholm.

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At least 11 people are suspected of having contracted measles at music festivals at the turn of July-August, says the Swedish Public Health Agency.

The Public Health Agency is sending information to all festival attendees on how to act if they develop measles-like symptoms. Contact tracing is also being conducted for confirmed cases.

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The infections are suspected to originate from the Urkult folk music festival, which was held from July 30 to August 1 in Västernorrland county.

Measles is part of Sweden's national vaccination program, with a coverage rate of 95 percent. The agency notes that contracting the disease provides lifelong immunity. Measles is highly contagious, with initial symptoms including fever, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that lasts for over a week.

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Information will be sent to all festival attendees on how to act if they develop symptoms suggestive of measles. Contact tracing will also be carried out for confirmed cases.

Finnish folk music groups Värttinä, Tuuletar, and Áššu performed at the Urkult festival this year. Mia Kontio, a leading expert at Finland's Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), stated that no measles cases have been reported in Finland. THL is aware of the infections at Urkult but does not know how many Finns attended.

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Measles is part of Sweden's national child vaccination program. The vaccination coverage is 95 percent, according to the Public Health Agency.