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A confirmed measles case has raised concerns for Amtrak passengers after an individual potentially exposed others on a train traveling to Washington, D.C. earlier this month, according to officials from the D.C. Department of Health.
On Monday, health officials stated that they were informed of a measles diagnosis involving someone who visited several places in D.C. while contagious. Passengers who were on the same Amtrak train, along with those present at a nearby train station and an urgent care facility, are potential exposure risks.
The infected person traveled on the southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 train on March 19, from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., arriving at the city’s primary rail hub, Union Station. While the health department did not disclose the initial boarding location, Amtrak’s schedule indicates that the route commenced in Boston, stopping in New York City shortly before 7:30 p.m., and included several other East Coast cities such as Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore before reaching Washington, D.C.
The individual also spent time at a MedStar Urgent Care facility located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. on March 22. Health care providers in D.C. are obligated to report any suspected or confirmed measles cases to the local health department.
Those who may have been in the same locations as the infected person are encouraged to reach out to health providers or the D.C. health officials by calling 844-493-2652. It is important to note that individuals who have been vaccinated against measles are generally believed to have a level of protection against the virus.
Prior to becoming contagious, the infected individual arrived in Reagan National Airport from Minnesota. While the identity and specifics about the individual have not been disclosed, it was confirmed that they had received measles vaccinations.
This incident occurs amid a worrying increase in measles cases across the United States, where, as of 2025, the number of reported infections has reached its highest level in a single year since 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The surge is predominantly linked to an ongoing outbreak in Texas, which has seen more than 300 individuals infected since late January, leading to the tragic death of one child, as well as an adult’s death in New Mexico.
As one of the most contagious diseases known, measles poses significant health risks, potentially leading to severe complications such as cognitive impairment, hearing loss, or even death. The CDC has estimated that about 1 in every 1,000 children with measles may suffer from brain swelling that could result in brain damage, and approximately 3 out of every 1,000 cases could be fatal.
An effective vaccine against measles, typically administered as part of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination, demonstrates high efficacy—about 97% effectiveness after two doses and 93% after one. The troubling situation in Texas has largely stemmed from low vaccination rates in certain communities, with health officials indicating that the deceased child had not been vaccinated.
According to the latest CDC report, the U.S. has documented at least 377 measles cases in 2025, spread across 16 states, including Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and New York. The CBS News data team is actively monitoring nationwide confirmed cases as state health departments and the CDC update their statistics.
Measles symptoms typically present within 7 to 14 days following exposure, as noted by the CDC. These symptoms may include a high fever, persistent cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a characteristic rash.
The virus is highly contagious, transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Notably, the virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room, which poses additional risks for those who may enter afterward, according to CDC guidelines.
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