A confirmed case of measles has prompted health officials in Washington, D.C., to alert the public about potential exposure on an Amtrak train. The infected individual traveled on the southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 on March 19 and visited multiple locations while contagious, including Union Station and a MedStar Urgent Care facility.

The D.C. Department of Health announced that the affected person was on the Amtrak train from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and was at Union Station between 11:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Furthermore, they sought medical treatment on March 22, leading officials to warn that others may have been exposed.

Health officials are stressing the importance of vaccination, especially for those who are unvaccinated or have never contracted measles. According to the CDC, measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications; hence, individuals who may have been around the infected traveler are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers.

This case is part of a broader increase in measles incidents in the U.S. this year, with health authorities reporting at least 378 cases across 18 states as of March. Most of these cases have been linked to unvaccinated individuals, particularly in areas with lower vaccination rates. The most significant outbreaks are currently occurring in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, where the infection rates are alarming. The Hill highlighted that the case in D.C. is distinct from these outbreaks, as it does not appear to be directly linked to them.

Measles symptoms typically appear between 7 and 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, and a rash. The virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The CDC emphasizes the effectiveness of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, noting that two doses provide about 97% protection.

Officials are actively working to communicate with individuals who may have been at risk. Amtrak and the public health departments in both New York City and D.C. are collaborating to ensure that possible exposures are communicated directly to affected passengers, underlining the need for immediate action to prevent further spread of this highly contagious virus.

For full updates and further information, visit ABC News, or follow the ongoing situation through India Times.