A New York college student rode an Amtrak train from Manhattan's Penn Station, potentially exposing scores of passengers to the highly contagious virus currently at the center of a national outbreak, ABC News reported.
The unidentified Bard College student boarded Amtrak train #283 on Jan. 25 from Penn Station, a transportation hub at 34th Street and 7th Avenue used by thousands to travel back and forth mainly from Long Island and New Jersey.
The train left at 1:20 p.m. and headed for Albany, NBC News reported. He got off in Rhinecliff and was diagnosed with measles at the college in Dutchess County.
Symptoms of measles, which usually occur within 14 days, include red eyes, coughing, fever and a rash that covers the body. Infection occurs when someone comes in contact with a sick person's cough or sneezes.
New York state health officials advised those who may have been exposed and who begin showing symptoms to call a doctor before traveling to a medical facility.
"This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness," the state Department of Health said according to ABC News.
So far 14 states have reported cases of measles, including Michigan, Nebraska, Utah and California, where a measles outbreak began at Disney parks in the state.
New York has seen three measles cases this year, including the one in Dutchess County.
Measles is normally a non-fatal illness but death has occurred in rare cases.
