SACRAMENTO – California public health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated against measles after a person took trains and buses through at least six counties, including Alameda, and was later hospitalized with the highly contagious disease.
The person initially took an Amtrak from Chicago to Los Angeles, arriving in California on Sept. 10, the California Department of Public Health said in an advisory Friday evening.
Officials said the person departed Los Angeles on the morning of Sept. 12 and passed through Bakersfield, Stockton, Oroville and Sacramento before arriving in Emeryville on the evening of Sept. 13. The journey involved several trains and buses.
On Monday morning, the person took a train from Emeryville to Denver, officials said.
The CDPH is working with federal and local health officials to notify people who may have been exposed.
Officials urged anyone who was exposed to or has symptoms of measles to check their immunity status. Two doses of the mumps-rubella vaccine are needed for full immunization.
Anyone who is not immunized and was exposed seven or fewer days ago should talk to their healthcare provider about vaccination or immune globulin for prevention. And those who are not immunized and were exposed between seven and 21 days ago should stay home and limit interactions with others for three weeks.
Symptoms of the disease can include fever and an unexplained rash, officials said.
The case, along with previous measles outbreaks in the state this year, serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination, according to Assistant Public Health Director Dr. Rita Nguyen.
“Measles is one of the most contagious infections that can lead to severe life-long consequences including permanent brain damage and can also be fatal, especially for children,” she said in a statement.
Nguyen said the vaccine is “safe and provides long-lasting protection” against the disease.
As of Monday, 59 measles cases had been reported in the state this year, officials said. In 94% of them, patients were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Check back for updates.