Measles Case Confirmed in Amtrak Passenger Traveling to D.C.

• Mar 26, 2025

Health officials in Washington, D.C., have confirmed a measles case in a passenger who traveled on an Amtrak train to the capital, potentially exposing others to the virus. The person also visited multiple locations in D.C. while contagious, including a train station and an urgent care center.

Timeline of Potential Exposure

The infected individual traveled on the southbound Amtrak Northeast Regional 175 train on March 19, departing at 7:30 p.m. and arriving at Washington, D.C.'s Union Station at 1:30 a.m. Officials did not disclose where the passenger boarded, but the train's route began in Boston and passed through major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

Three days later, on March 22, the individual visited a MedStar Urgent Care in the Adams Morgan neighborhood between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., further increasing the risk of exposure.

Public Health Response

D.C. health officials are urging anyone who was at these locations during the listed times to contact their healthcare provider or the D.C. Health Department at 844-493-2652. However, they note that individuals who are vaccinated against measles are likely protected.

Before becoming contagious, the person had traveled from Minnesota to Washington, D.C., through Reagan National Airport. Their identity has not been released, but officials confirmed they were vaccinated.

This case comes as the U.S. sees a sharp rise in measles infections. Since the start of 2025, the country has recorded its highest number of cases in a single year since 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A major outbreak in Texas has infected over 300 people and led to the deaths of a child and an adult.

The Danger of Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases, spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room. Symptoms, which appear 7 to 14 days after exposure, include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash.

The disease can cause severe complications, including brain swelling, deafness, and death. The CDC reports that one in every 1,000 children with measles develops brain damage, and three in every 1,000 die from the infection.

The Importance of Vaccination

The measles vaccine, usually given as part of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot, is highly effective. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing infection, while a single dose is about 93% effective. The recent Texas outbreak primarily affected a community with low vaccination rates, and the child who died was unvaccinated.

As of March 21, at least 377 measles cases have been confirmed in the U.S. across 16 states, including Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, and New York. Health officials continue to monitor the outbreak and urge the public to ensure they are vaccinated.