Measles case confirmed in person who rode Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., health officials say

A recent incident involving a person with a confirmed case of measles has raised concerns about potential exposure to Amtrak passengers on a train to Washington, D.C. The D.C. Department of Health issued a statement indicating that the individual in question visited multiple locations in the city while contagious, including an Amtrak train, a D.C. train station, and an urgent care center. Officials are urging anyone who may have been present at these locations during the specified times to contact their healthcare providers or the D.C. health department.

The infected individual traveled on the southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 train on March 19, arriving at Union Station in D.C. after making stops in several cities along the East Coast. The person also visited a MedStar Urgent Care facility in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of D.C. on March 22. It is important to note that individuals who have been vaccinated against measles are likely protected from the virus.

Prior to becoming contagious, the individual flew from Minnesota to Reagan National Airport. While the person’s identity and description have not been disclosed, it was confirmed that they had received the measles vaccine. This incident comes amidst a significant increase in measles cases in the United States, with the CDC reporting the highest number of cases in a single year since 2019. Most of these infections stemmed from a measles outbreak in Texas, which has resulted in numerous illnesses and even fatalities.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications, including cognitive issues, deafness, and death in some cases. Vaccination against measles is highly effective and safe, with two doses of the MMR vaccine being about 97% effective at preventing the disease. The recent outbreak in Texas highlighted the importance of vaccination, as the child who died during the outbreak was unvaccinated.

As of the latest CDC update, there have been 377 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. this year, with cases reported in at least 16 states. Symptoms of measles typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. The virus spreads through the air via coughing, sneezing, or talking, and can linger in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person has left the area.

It is crucial for individuals to stay informed about measles outbreaks and to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations to protect themselves and others from this potentially deadly disease. The CDC continues to monitor and track measles cases nationwide, providing updates on the ongoing situation.