The D.C. Department of Health is currently working to identify those who may have been at risk of exposure to an individual with a confirmed case of the measles who visited multiple locations around the District while likely contagious.
Date, times, & locations of potential measles exposure sites in Washington, D.C.
The following sites are where the contagious individual was most likely to have exposed others to measles:
- Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 Train Southbound
- March 19
- 7:30 pm – 1:30 am
- Amtrak Concourse, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
- March 19
- 11:00 pm – 1:30 am
- MedStar Urgent Care Adams Morgan, 1805 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
- March 22nd
- 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
What is measles?
Measles is a very infectious illness that can spread easily through the air via normal breathing, coughing, or sneezing of an infected individual.
While the vaccine for measles was created in 1963 and the disease has been under “elimination status” for over 20 years, there has been a recent uptick in cases nationwide
What are measles symptoms?
Per DC Health, measles symptoms tend to appear in two stages:
- First, around 7-14 days after exposure, a fever greater than 101 degrees, a runny nose, watery red eyes, and a cough.
- Second, around 3-5 days after initial symptoms appear, a rash on the face and/or body.
How long is measles contagious?
Measles is considered contagious for eight days; typically, infected individuals are contagious from four days before a rash appears and then the following four days after the rash appears.
What should you do if you believe you were exposed to measles?
If you believe you were exposed to measles and are not immune or are not sure of your immunity status, DC Health suggests that you immediately contact your health care provider or DC Health at 844-493-2652 for more guidance.
If you believe you were exposed and may have been infected, DC Health suggests the following protocol:
Anyone who was exposed and is at risk of developing measles should watch for symptoms until 21 days following the date of their last exposure. If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home and away from others. Contact your healthcare provider immediately. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department to help protect other patients and staff.
If you have any questions about these potential exposures, please contact DC Health at 844-493-2652 or via email at doh.epi@dc.gov