Health officials in Washington, D.C. are cautioning the public about a possible measles exposure in the city. The DC Department of Health has stated that an individual with confirmed measles visited multiple locations in Washington, D.C. while contagious. They are alerting individuals who may have come into contact with the virus.
Those at risk of exposure were passengers on Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train Southbound on March 19 between 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. the following day, and were present at the Amtrak Concourse at Union Station between 11 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Additionally, individuals who visited MedStar Urgent Care Adams Morgan on Saturday, March 22, between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms typically manifest in two stages, with a rash appearing on the face and body 3-5 days after the initial symptoms. Individuals who may have been exposed and are unvaccinated or have compromised immune systems are advised to contact a healthcare provider or call 844-493-2652 to monitor for symptoms for 21 days following their last exposure.
People who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered protected and do not need to take any further action. As of March 20, there have been 378 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. this year, with cases reported in multiple states. The CDC reports that the majority of cases are in individuals under 19, with 23% occurring in those aged 20 and older, and almost all cases involve unvaccinated individuals.
