A New York college student with measles boarded an Amtrak train at Penn Station, located at 34th street in Manhattan, officials said.
The student, who was not identified, currently attends Bard College in Dutchess County and took Amtrak #283 from Penn Station to Albany, state officials said. He got off at a station Rhinecliff, N.Y.
“In order to prevent the spread of illness, DOH is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to call their health care providers or a local emergency room BEFORE going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness,” reads a statement from the New York State Department of Health on Friday.
The student took the train on Jan. 25, leaving Penn Station at 1:20 p.m. ET.
“Bard College has notified the campus community of the measles case and on Friday, the Dutchess County Department of Health held a measles vaccination clinic for any students, faculty, or staff who has not been vaccinated against measles,” the statement reads.
The health agency said there have been three cases of measles in 2015. One in Dutchess County and two in New York City.
Measles is highly contagious virus and is spread by contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. The illness can lead to serious side-effects and death.
Symptoms appear between 10 to 12 days, but they can take as long as 18 days to appear.
As the state health agency notes, “In the first stage, which lasts two to four days, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and a slight fever. Eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever gradually rises each day, often peaking as high as 103 degrees to 105 degres F. Small bluish white spots surrounded by a reddish area may also appear on the gums and inside of the cheeks.”
