Confirmed measles case traveled on Amtrak Northeast Regional train from NYC to DC: health officials
Amtrak Northeast Regional train has several stops between NYC and DC, including in Philadelphia
WASHINGTON (WPVI) -- The DC Department of Health is working to identify people who may have been exposed to measles, including people who traveled on an Amtrak Northeast Regional train from New York to the capital last week.
Health officials were notified of a confirmed case of measles in a person who visited multiple locations in Washington D.C. while contagious.
The person visited multiple locations while contagious, including the southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train and Union Station on March 19, as well as a MedStar Urgent Care in Adams Morgan on March 22, DC Health said in a press release on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, health officials confirmed the measles patient is a Minnesota resident who recently traveled internationally. An investigation is ongoing to determine where the patient contracted measles.
The individual flew from Minnesota to Reagan National Airport but was not contagious at the time of their flight or while in Minnesota.
"On March 24, a case of measles was confirmed in an adult who lives in Hennepin County and had recently traveled domestically and internationally," Jayne Griffith, Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist, said in a statement, "the person was not infectious while in Minnesota, so there were no exposures in Minnesota from this case. We are still investigating where this person acquired measles.
Health officials noted the individual was fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Breakthrough infections are rare but possible. Fully vaccinated people who get measles are less likely to spread the disease to other people and typically have milder illness, the CDC said.
Officials have also notified Amtrak of the case, as the person traveled on Amtrak Train 175 from New York to Washington Union Station on Wednesday, March 19. That train has several stops along the way, including in Philadelphia.
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Amtrak released a statement indicating it was aware of an exposure on one of its trains.
"DC Public Health has notified Amtrak of a confirmed case of measles in a customer traveling on Amtrak Train 175 from New York to Washington Union Station on Wednesday, March 19," Amtrak said in a statement on Wednesday. "Amtrak is reaching out directly to customers who were on this train to notify them of possible exposure."
Potential exposure sites associated with this case of measles include:
- Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train Southbound: March 19 between 7:30 pm - 1:30 am
- Amtrak Concourse, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002: March 19 between 11:00 pm - 1:30 am
- MedStar Urgent Care Adams Morgan, 1805 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009: March 22 between 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also released a statement on Wednesday, saying it is "aware" of the confirmed case and the patient's travel.
"Public Health agencies routinely exchange information when exposures occur in other localities, and we are in communication with the DC Department of Health on this matter," the statement read in part.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.
Measles symptoms usually appear in two stages and usually start seven to 14 days after being exposed. Most people having a fever of greater than 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. Then, three to five days after symptoms start, a rash can appear.
People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears, according to health officials.
If you were among those possibly exposed to this case of measles and are not immune should contact their health care provider or DC Health.
RELATED: 5 things to know about measles
Anyone without the measles vaccine should watch for symptoms for 21 days following the last exposure date. If you notice symptoms, you should immediately isolate yourself by staying home and away from others, and contact your healthcare provide right away before going to the provider's office or emergency room.
Anyone with an immunocompromising condition should also contact their provider.
Officials said that if you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
The CDC has confirmed 378 measles cases so far this year in at least 17 states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington. This is likely an undercount due to delays in states reporting cases to the federal health agency.
Health officials are encouraging those who have never been vaccinated before to receive the MMR vaccine.
The CDC currently recommends that people receive two vaccine doses, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective, the CDC says. Most vaccinated adults don't need a booster.
ABC News contributed to this report.
