Measles case in DC prompts health alert after exposure at several public locations

WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — The D.C. Department of Health said Tuesday they were notified of a case of measles in an individual who visited multiple public locations in Washington, D.C., while contagious.

Health officials are alerting those who may have been at these locations during the specified times to monitor for symptoms:

The potential exposure sites include:

• Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train Southbound: March 19, 7:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
• Amtrak Concourse, Union Station (50 Massachusetts Ave NE): March 19, 11 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
• MedStar Urgent Care Adams Morgan (1805 Columbia Rd NW): March 22, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

SEE ALSO | Measles case confirmed at Prince George's County Public Schools

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. If you’ve been vaccinated, you do not need to worry.

"People are coming in with different kinds of questions about whether they are considered are more risk for severe disease," said Dr Jose Lucar, infectious diseases physician at George Washington's School of Medicine.

He said at his clinic on Tuesday, he got several questions about the measles.

"People are asking what about in the year I was born," Dr Lucar said. "Am I supposed to be protected?"

Dr Lucar said he's less concerned about the few cases in the DMV and more so about dropping vaccination rates.

"If those vaccination rates remain above 95%, we will be protected against outbreaks," Dr Lucar said. "Prevention is sometimes hard to explain, but when you see what happens in kids with measles, it is not just a viral infection they give to each other."

Early symptoms of measles are a fever of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, a runny nose, a cough, conjunctivitis, and red eyes. Interestingly enough, one of the last symptoms, days later, is a red rash that spreads all over the body, heavier on the head and trunk. A person with measles is contagious four days before a rash appears and must isolate for at least four days after the rash appears.

If you have gotten two doses of the MMR vaccine, an additional booster isn't going to provide any additional protection.

RELATED | Maryland health officials track contacts after resident diagnosed with rare measles case

Amtrak provided 7News with the following statement on Tuesday:

"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 is reaching out directly to customers who were on this train to notify them of possible exposure.

Questions about potential exposures should be directed to DC Health at 844-493-2652 or via email at doh.epi@dc.gov."

For more information or guidance, visit the D.C. Department of Health website.