Amtrak Passengers Warned of Possible Measles Exposure

Health officials are warning Amtrak passengers who rode from Boston to Virginia last week that they may have been exposed to measles. 

According to a press release from the Virginia Department of Health, a man traveling on Amtrak Regional train #171 on August 17, had measles but did not know about his infection until later, meaning anyone who rode the train with him was potentially exposed. He boarded the train at Philadelphia and rode it into Virginia.

The train left Boston at 8:15 A.M., stopping in Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C. and Virginia before ending its journey in Lynchburg at 8:36 p.m. Virginia health officials say anyone who contracted measles from the train ride would begin showing symptoms of the disease between August 24 and September 7.

Measles is highly contagious and spread through coughing, sneezing and any contact with secretions from the infected person’s nose, mouth or throat. It causes high fevers, a runny nose, water red eyes, coughing, and red splotches across the face, head and body. In rare circumstances, it can also cause pneumonia, ear infections and brain inflammation in children under the age of 5 and adults over the age of 20.

Most people in the U.S. are vaccinated or had measles as a child. However, those who have not been vaccinated or are unsure could be at risk. Any passengers who begin showing symptoms should contact their primary health care provider and should call ahead before going to any health care facility so they can make arrangements to prevent further spread of the infection to other patients.

Passengers with questions can also call the Virginia Department of Health at (703)792-6345 or the District of Columbia health department at (202)671-4222.