Passenger with measles traveled on a train from NYC, Amtrak says
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A passenger with a case of measles traveled on a train from New York to Washington D.C. last week, Amtrak confirmed on Wednesday.
The D.C. Department of Health notified the transit agency that the passenger was on the Northeast Regional 175 train, which left at 7:30 p.m. on March 19.
Amtrak says they are contacting customers from that train to notify them of possible exposure.
Health officials confirm that the person is a Minnesota resident who recently traveled internationally. An investigation is ongoing to determine where this person acquired measles.
The individual flew from Minnesota to Reagan National Airport but was not contagious during their flight or while in Minnesota.
Health officials also noted that the passenger was fully vaccinated. The current MMR vaccine requires two doses and is 97% effective.
The D.C. Department of Health also warns people who may have been on the Amtrak concourse between 11 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. on March 20.
Anyone at the MedStar Urgent Care on Columbia Road in D.C. from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on March 22 may also be at risk.
The New York City Health Department says it's aware of the situation and in communication with the DC Department of Health.
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 says.
Experts are not sure why breakthrough infections occur. It is possible the immune system did not respond as well as they should have to the vaccine.
Most adults that have been fully vaccinated or previously infected with measles do not need another shot (booster). CDC considers those who received 2 doses of the MMR vaccine protected for life.
If unsure about your vaccination status, talk to your doctor. If you cannot find your vaccination records or documentation of measles immunity, you should get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, the CDC says. A blood test may help determine if you have some protective antibodies in your system but is generally not recommended.
In addition, less than 5% of US adults (people born between 1963 and 1967) may have received a different version of the measles vaccine, called a "killed" vaccine. Those people are eligible to be re-vaccinated with the current, live MMR vaccine.
Even if you are already immune to measles through vaccination or infection, getting another dose won't harm your immune system.
Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched a new web portal for information on a measles vaccine after four confirmed cases were found in the state.
Two measles cases were confirmed last month in New Jersey as well.
RELATED | Measles cases are rising, primarily in unvaccinated people: Health officials
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