Finland reports measles case in ferry traveler
According to information from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), a person who contracted measles traveled from Tallinn to Helsinki on the Eckerö Line M/s Finlandia ship on Tuesday, January 7, between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
During the voyage, the person with measles stayed in their cabin and did not move around the ship other than entering and leaving. It is possible that the person may have contracted measles during short transfers. However, the risk of infection is very low.
Eckerö Line will separately contact passengers and ship employees who were on the same ship shift as the sick person on M/s Finlandia on January 7th from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. In accordance with the instructions of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, they are advised to check that their own and their family members' measles protection is in order.
According to the instructions of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare:
Two previous doses of measles or MMR vaccines provide good protection against measles.
A person who has had measles does not need vaccination.
If the child has received the first dose of vaccine according to the vaccination schedule, the second dose does not need to be given early.
Parents of unvaccinated children, unvaccinated adults, unvaccinated pregnant women, and immunocompromised people (severely reduced immunity) are advised to contact their health center as soon as possible to assess the situation.
People whose vaccination coverage is insufficient are recommended to contact their health center to complete their vaccination coverage. The MMR vaccination is free of charge for everyone.
The first symptoms of measles are high fever, respiratory symptoms and often conjunctivitis. The rash begins 3–5 days after the fever and lasts for a week or more.
If a traveler develops symptoms consistent with measles within three weeks of travel, they should first contact their local health center by phone for more detailed instructions.