State health officials in Maryland reported a case of measles in an individual who traveled through the state while infectious last week. The Maryland Department of Health indicated that this person traveled on trains from January 7 to 8.
According to their announcement, anyone who may have been in the following public areas during those times might have been exposed:
- Amtrak Northeast Regional train from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station to D.C.’s Union Station, between 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., on January 7.
- Amtrak’s BWI Marshall Airport shuttle bus connecting the BWI Marshall train station to drop-off points outside the airport’s lower level from 10:45 p.m. on January 7 to 1:30 a.m. on January 8.
- BWI Marshall Airport parking shuttle bus service to and from the lower levels outside the airport and the long-term parking lots from 11 p.m. on January 7 to 2 a.m. on January 8.
Health officials clarified that individuals who weren’t in these locations at the designated times were not at risk of exposure while in Maryland. They also noted there were no recorded exposures within the terminals of BWI Marshall Airport.
Additionally, the Maryland health department mentioned that there were other exposure sites in different states, and that information would be shared by those respective states.
In a separate announcement, the Virginia Department of Health identified the Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center Emergency Department and Executive Medicine Suite in Fort Belvoir as another location of potential exposure. They advised that anyone present there on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight, might have been exposed.
The patient is described as a young child who had recently traveled internationally, and this incident marks the second reported measles case in Virginia this year.
Next Steps if You Think You’ve Been Exposed
If you suspect you’ve been exposed, the Maryland Department of Health recommends checking your vaccination status for measles. Generally, if you’ve received two doses of the measles vaccine or were born before 1957, you are considered protected.
If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, contact your healthcare provider or check your records through the My Immunization Record online portal.
For those not fully vaccinated or lacking immunity and who may have been exposed, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider or local health department for guidance on the next steps.
The Maryland Department of Health advises monitored observation for symptoms of measles for 21 days following any potential exposure. Common symptoms include a runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and a fever over 101 degrees.
If any symptoms occur, individuals should stay home and avoid public areas. It’s important to contact a healthcare facility prior to arriving at any care centers.
