THL warns of spreading measles virus from a ferry passenger

A person with measles travelled on a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki on July 26 may have spread the measles virus to other passengers during the journey, said the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on Wednesday.

The person travelled on Viking Line Gabriella ferry between 14:00 and 16:50 on the day.

Viking Line will separately contact the passengers who travelled on the same ferry journey.

As per THL’s instructions, these passengers are urged to check, if they and their family members are protected against measles.

THL instructed that two previously administered measles or MMR vaccines provide good protection against measles.

A person who has had measles does not need the vaccination.

If a child has received the first dose of the vaccine in accordance with the vaccination programme, there is no need for them to get the second dose sooner.

Parents of unvaccinated children, unvaccinated adults, unvaccinated pregnant persons and those with a weakened immune system are urged to contact their local health centre where their situation can be assessed.

Those who are not fully vaccinated against measles are recommended to contact their local health centre to get fully vaccinated.

The MMR vaccine is free for all.

The first symptoms of measles are high fever, respiratory tract symptoms and, often, conjunctivitis which causes red, sore, watery eyes.

A rash usually appears a few days after the fever and lasts little over a week.

Any passenger, who was on the same ferry journey and developed symptoms that indicate measles within three weeks after the journey, was instructed to contact the local health centre.

Measles is an exceptionally contagious disease. It spreads through the air, and a person may contract measles by simply being in the same room with a person with measles.

A person infected with measles can spread the disease for four days before (which means one day before the first symptoms develop) and four days after the rash breaks out.

Two doses of the measles or MMR vaccine provide good protection against the disease.

Those born before 1965 may be protected against measles because they have had it before. The MMR vaccine, which is included in the national vaccination programme, is free for all. In addition to measles, it also protects against mumps and rubella.

Measles is a serious illness regardless of the patient’s age or condition.

For those with a weakened immune system, measles can be severe or even fatal.