The measles outbreak linked to the Urkult folk music festival in northern Sweden has grown to 30 confirmed infections, health authorities said, after three additional cases were detected following earlier reporting of 21 cases.
The latest cases emerged in Västerbotten, Sörmland and Region Jämtland Härjedalen, bringing the number of affected regions to nine. Most of those infected are under 18 and were unvaccinated, though at least one vaccinated attendee also contracted the disease. Regional infectious disease physician Maria Marklund confirmed the incubation period following the festival has now expired.
Health Minister Jakob Forssmed called a press conference to address the outbreak. In Västerbotten alone, between 50 and 100 families per year have declined vaccination, according to regional authorities. Sweden introduced universal measles vaccination in 1971, with two doses providing 97 to 99 percent protection.