Health authorities issue advisories for measles and stomach illness outbreaks

Health authorities are addressing two separate disease outbreaks affecting travelers. In Rhodes, Greece, an unusually severe gastrointestinal epidemic is underway. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) advises travelers to follow local guidance, emphasizing hand hygiene, consuming safe food and water, and ensuring proper hydration if symptoms occur.

Separately, a measles outbreak linked to the Urkult music festival in Sweden has prompted health warnings for ferry passengers. An individual who contracted measles traveled on Viking Glory (Turku-Mariehamn-Stockholm route) on August 13 and on an Eckerö Line vessel from Grisslehamn to Eckerö on August 15. While the risk of transmission on the ships is considered low, THL urges passengers from these specific voyages and festival attendees to verify their vaccination status. Most cases reported in connection with the festival have been among unvaccinated individuals.