Latest news with #DCHealth
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DC-bound Amtrak passenger may have exposed travelers to measles, health officials say
(NEXSTAR/WTEN) – A passenger on an Amtrak train to Washington, DC, last week may have exposed numerous people to the measles, according to a notice from the DC Department of Health. Officials with DC Health said the passenger had boarded a southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional, which originated in Boston, on March 19. This person also may have exposed other travelers at the Amtrak concourse in DC's Union Station upon arrival, according to the notice. 'Like a forest fire': Where large measles outbreaks will occur, according to an epidemiologist A few days later on March 22, this person also visited an urgent care center — MedStar Urgent Care Adams Morgan — in DC. 'DC Health was notified of a confirmed case of measles in a person who visited multiple locations in DC while contagious,' reads the notice. 'DC Health is informing people who were at these locations that they may have been exposed.' Officials with the Minnesota Department of Health have since identified this passenger a resident of the state's Hennepin County. They also said this person had recently traveled both domestically and internationally. 'The person was not infectious while in Minnesota, so there were no exposures in Minnesota from this case,' reads a statement provided by Jayne Griffith, an epidemiologist with Minnesota's Department of Health. A representative for DC Health also confirmed to Nexstar that this person was vaccinated, suggesting the passenger had experienced a breakthrough infection. (Breakthrough infections are 'uncommon' but can still occur, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges.) Those who believe they may have been exposed to measles are urged to monitor for symptoms and contact a healthcare provider with any concerns. Kansas measles cases double to 23 and new Ohio outbreak sickens 10 News of the passenger potentially exposing other travelers and DC residents to the measles comes amid reports of measles outbreaks across the country. Epidemiologists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed nearly 400 cases across 18 states, with the largest outbreaks reported in Texas and New Mexico. In 2024, the CDC recorded under 300 cases, nationally, for the whole calendar year. Health officials say the best way to protect from measles infection is two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles case confirmed in DC, individual may have exposed others on Amtrak train
A measles case was confirmed in a person who traveled to Washington, D.C., on an Amtrak train, according to the D.C. Department of Health (DC Health). The person visited multiple locations while contagious, including the southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train and Union Station on March 19 as well as a MedStar Urgent Care in Adams Morgan on March 22, DC Health said in a press release on Tuesday. DC Health said it is currently working to inform people who were at these locations that they may have been exposed. MORE: Measles vaccinations are increasing in some areas hit hard by cases: Officials Health officials are specifying that people who are "not immune" are most at-risk of infection. This includes those who are unvaccinated or who have never contracted measles before. DC Health did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. "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 said in a statement on Wednesday. "Amtrak is reaching out directly to customers who were on this train to notify them of possible exposure." The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also released a statement on Wednesday, saying it is "aware" of the confirmed case and the patient's travel. "Public Health agencies routinely exchange information when exposures occur in other localities, and we are in communication with the DC Department of Health on this matter," the statement read in part. MORE: RFK Jr. claims measles can be treated with vitamin A, linked to poor diet. Here's what science says The CDC has confirmed 378 measles cases so far this year in at least 17 states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington. This is likely an undercount due to delays in states reporting cases to the federal health agency. Health officials are encouraging those who have never been vaccinated before to receive the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. The CDC currently recommends that people receive two vaccine doses, the first at ages 12 to 15 months and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective, the CDC says. Most vaccinated adults don't need a booster. ABC News' Matt Foster and Othon Leyva contributed to this report. Measles case confirmed in DC, individual may have exposed others on Amtrak train originally appeared on
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DC, Virginia health officials warn about potential measles exposure after cases confirmed in Maryland
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — D.C. and Virginia health officials warned that there may have been additional instances of measles exposure after two cases were confirmed in Prince George's County, Md. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the DC Department of Health sent out news releases Thursday evening warning residents about the potential of exposure. DC Health said that the two Maryland residents had 'recently traveled internationally together and visited DC while contagious.' 2 cases of measles confirmed in Prince George's County Officials listed the following possible exposure sites in Virginia: Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, March 5 Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building and in the baggage claim area between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Ronald Reagan National Airport on Friday, March 14 Terminal Shuttle Bus between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Washington area Metro on Friday, March 14 Yellow Line train from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station, transferring at the L'Enfant Plaza station to the Silver Line train heading towards the Downtown Largo station between 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. DC Health provided the following potential exposure sites in the District: Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, March 5 Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building and in the baggage claim area between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Kaiser Permanente Largo Medical Center1221 Mercantile Marlboro, Md. March 5, 7:30 p.m. – March 6, 4:30 a.m. March 13, 4:15 a.m. – 10 a.m. March 15, 7:35 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. March 17, 2:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Ronald Reagan National Airport on Friday, March 14 Terminal Shuttle Bus between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Washington area Metro on Friday, March 14 Yellow Line train from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station, transferring at the L'Enfant Plaza station to the Silver Line train heading towards the Downtown Largo station between 12:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Passport Toyota5001 Auth WaySuitland, Md. March 17, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Benadryl bottles recalled over risk of child poisoning If you were in one of the listed locations during the specified days and times and have not received a measles vaccine, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. You also should monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days starting from the date of your potential exposure. Officials said that symptoms of measles often appear in two stages. In the first stage, people may have a fever over 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage is a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The first stage typically starts between seven and 14 days after exposure. The second stage typically starts three to five days after symptoms start. Anyone with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after it appears. If you notice any symptoms, you should isolate yourself, stay home and contact your healthcare provider. You can find more information about measles in Virginia on VDH's website. You can find more from D.C. here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
