As New York declares a state of emergency over rising measles cases, Finnish experts emphasise that the risk to short-term travellers remains low, but global vaccination coverage and travel advisories underscore ongoing public health challenges.
New York has declared a state of emergency after a sharp rise in measles cases, but Finnish infectious disease experts say the risk to short-term travellers remains low. According to the state order reported by The Guardian, Governor Kathy Hochul moved to widen access to vaccination and testing as confirmed cases reached 108 across New York state. Iltalehti reported that the emergency measures are due to remain in force until 4 November.
In Finland, Mia Kontio of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare said the situation in New York is still small in relation to the state’s population and does not justify special precautions for most visitors. She likened the scale to Finland’s 2011 measles situation, when 27 cases were recorded without prompting national emergency measures. Kontio said there is no reason to bring forward routine vaccination for a child simply because the family is travelling to New York.
The broader travel picture is more important. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says measles cases in the United States often begin with unvaccinated international travellers, and it advises anyone who is not fully vaccinated, or is unsure of their status, to receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at least two weeks before leaving. The agency says two doses offer 97% protection, while one dose gives 93%.
Kontio said the greatest danger for travellers is not New York, but places where measles continues to circulate more widely, including parts of Africa and countries such as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The CDC’s travel guidance also flags Laos and Cambodia as countries where measles cases are rising and recommends that all travellers be fully vaccinated before departure. For infants aged six to 11 months, an early dose may be given before travel.
Measles is among the most contagious viral diseases. It spreads through direct contact and through the air, and the virus can remain infectious in a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Symptoms usually appear nine to 11 days after infection and include fever, cough, eye inflammation and a rash. There is no specific antiviral treatment, so care is mainly supportive.
Even in Europe, where cases rose sharply in 2024, Kontio said the current numbers are not cause for alarm on their own. More than 35,000 cases were reported in EU and EEA countries that year, according to European surveillance figures, with recent reports still coming from several countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Poland and Belgium. For Finland, the more pressing concern is waning vaccination coverage. Kontio said two-dose coverage should be at 95%, but the latest figure is 93%, and low uptake in some areas could increase the risk of outbreaks.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
