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October 19, 2025Open Access

Third Streptococcus pneumoniae disease outbreak involving serotype 4–ST801 in a shipyard, Finland, May to June 2025

Key Points

The latest outbreak reported 13 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease, among which six were confirmed.
Five isolates from blood culture-positive cases were identified as serotype 4 – sequence type 801, showing close genetic similarity to previous cases.
All three outbreaks in the shipyard were tied to invasive pneumococcal disease among workers, with the latest taking place between late April and early June.
An association was established between the outbreak and welding activities, highlighting potential occupational hazards.

Abstract

Finland experienced three invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) outbreaks among shipyard workers at the same shipyard, in 2019, 2023 and 2025. During the latest outbreak (30 April–6 June 2025), 13 cases were reported, with six confirmed. All five isolates from blood culture-positive cases were serotype 4 – sequence type 801. These were nearly indistinguishable from three isolates from the 2019 outbreak, nine Finnish IPD surveillance isolates and isolates of a 2019 Norwegian shipyard outbreak. We found an association with welding.

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