A person with measles travelled on a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki on 26 July – THL instructs for those who were on the same ferry journey

According to the information received by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), a person with measles travelled on the Viking Line Gabriella ferry on Friday 26 July between 14:00 and 16:50 from Tallinn to Helsinki. The person may have spread the measles virus to other people during the journey.

THL has instructions for those who were on the same ferry

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’s instructions state 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.

If you were on the same ferry journey and you develop symptoms that indicate measles within three weeks after your journey, please contact your local health centre by first calling them to get more detailed instructions.

Measles spreads easily 

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.

More information 

MMR, or measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (THL) 

Communicable Disease Control Physician
THL
[email protected]

Eeva Särelä
Physician in charge of communicable diseases
City of Helsinki
[email protected] 

Eeva Ruotsalainen
Deputy Chief Physician
HUS
[email protected]