Health officials say Amtrak passenger had measles

Virginia health officials have issued an alert about possible measles exposure on an Amtrak train that left from Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The Washington Post reports a rider who took Amtrak’s Northeast regional train No. 171 to Virginia from Philadelphia had measles, and health officials are advising anyone who took that train to check their vaccination status.

Measles are highly contagious and can be spread through coughing and sneezing and by contact with nasal, oral or throat secretions from an infected person.

Symptoms from an Aug. 17 exposure could develop until Sept. 7.

Officials say the rider developed measles outside the United States and showed symptoms only after arriving in this country.