Five cases of measles have been confirmed in Sweden this month, with three of those infected having attended the Urkult festival in Näsåker, north of Sollefteå, between July 30 and August 1, authorities said. One infected person in Värmland has been hospitalised following the festival.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden is coordinating with regional infection-control units to contain further spread and has urged festival attendees to monitor for symptoms and contact healthcare services by telephone if infection is suspected.
Measles is a highly contagious disease included in Sweden's childhood vaccination programme. Two doses of the vaccine provide very strong protection, said Johanna Rubin, a physician at the Public Health Agency's vaccination unit.