California health authorities have issued a public warning after an unvaccinated passenger who was later hospitalised with measles travelled by train and bus through six counties across the state.
The California Department of Public Health said the passenger travelled through Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties before leaving California for Denver, Colorado.
Health officials are working with county authorities and federal health agencies to identify and notify passengers and other people who may have been exposed during the journey.
The passenger arrived in California aboard an Amtrak train from Chicago to Los Angeles on September 10. After arriving at Los Angeles Union Station, the traveller continued to Bakersfield, Stockton and Oroville on September 12.
The journey continued from Oroville to Sacramento and then to Emeryville on September 13, before the passenger left California for Denver the following day.
Officials warned that anyone who travelled on the same trains or connecting buses, or who was present at the affected stations during the relevant periods, could have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.
The state health department is urging people who may have been exposed to check their measles, mumps and rubella vaccination status and contact a healthcare provider if they are not fully immunised or are uncertain about their immunity.
People who were exposed and are not immunised may need medical advice on vaccination or immune globulin, depending on how recently the exposure occurred. Health authorities also advised exposed individuals to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days.
Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough, a runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. Anyone who develops symptoms and suspects they may have measles is advised to contact a healthcare provider before visiting a medical facility to reduce the risk of exposing others.
California has reported 59 measles cases across 13 counties as of September 14, according to state health officials. Ninety-four per cent of those cases involved people who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
The latest warning comes as health authorities continue to monitor measles activity in California and other parts of the United States. Officials say the disease remains highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, particularly among young children and other vulnerable people.
Assistant State Public Health Officer Dr Rita Nguyen said the latest case, together with previous outbreaks in California this year, highlighted the importance of measles vaccination.
The department said two doses of the MMR vaccine provide protection against measles and urged residents to ensure their vaccinations are up to date.
Health authorities are continuing efforts to trace possible exposures along the passenger’s route while urging anyone who may have been affected to take precautions and seek medical advice where necessary.
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