1 week Ago By Juliana Vance
A confirmed measles case is generating health alerts after an infected individual traveled on an Amtrak train from New York to Washington, D.C. According to ABC7 New York , Amtrak confirmed the exposure, noting the passenger was aboard Northeast Regional train 175 last Wednesday evening.
The Washington D.C. Department of Health has since begun the process to notify other passengers on that train about potential exposure risks.
Adding to the concern, health officials have pinpointed several locations where exposure may have occurred and are urgently advising anyone present at those sites during the specified times to seek medical advice. The patient who later tested positive for measles had flown from Minnesota to Reagan National Airport prior to the train journey, as reported by a D.C.
Health Department spokesperson via CBS News . Despite being vaccinated against measles, the individual still contracted and spread the illness. Mere contact with an infected individual's respiratory droplets can lead to transmission due to the highly contagious nature of measles, one of the most infectious respiratory diseases.
The aftermath of this incident could ripple significantly, potentially affecting any unvaccinated individuals who were in the Amtrak concourse between 11 p.m. and 1:30 a.
m. last Thursday, or at MedStar Urgent Care last Saturday between 7 p.m.
and 11 p.m. The situation is grave enough that New York Governor Kathy Hochul has launched a new web portal for measles vaccine information in response to other confirmed cases in the state.
This year's measles surge has been remarkable, with the CDC already confirming 377 cases, a stark increase from previous years' figures. "This case comes amid a marked spike in measles infections in the United States, which since the start of 2025 has already recorded the most measles cases in a single year since 2019," CBS News stated. To effectively combat the disease, health officials continue to stress the efficacy and safety of vaccinations.
The CDC reports that two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective in preventing measles, though current incidents like the significant Texas outbreak suggest that communities with low vaccination rates remain at high risk. Individuals concerned about exposure are encouraged to contact health providers or reach out to D.C.
health officials by calling 844-493-2652. Tracked data about the rising measles cases will continue to be updated weekly, providing the public with important information during this worrisome resurgence of a preventable disease..
