California Issues Measles Exposure Warning Across Six Counties Following Amtrak Travel
California health officials have warned of potential measles exposure in six counties after an unvaccinated passenger traveled through the state via Amtrak and buses. The incident occurs amid a national resurgence, with Pennsylvania facing its worst outbreak and tensions rising over federal reporting of deaths.
California public health officials have issued warnings for possible measles exposure in Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Joaquin counties. The alerts follow the travel of an infected, unvaccinated passenger who moved through the state using Amtrak trains and thruway buses between September 10 and subsequent dates.
The traveler arrived in Los Angeles on an Amtrak train on September 10. From there, they passed through Bakersfield, Stockton, Oroville, Sacramento, and Emeryville before leaving California for Denver. Officials stated that passengers on the same trains or buses, as well as people inside stations along the route during the relevant dates, are considered exposed to the virus.
Assistant State Public Health Officer Rita Nguyen emphasized the importance of MMR vaccination, noting that it is safe and provides long-lasting protection. Identification and notification efforts are currently underway for individuals who may have been exposed.
This warning comes amidst the largest US measles resurgence in over three decades. Pennsylvania is currently dealing with the country's worst active outbreak, with 731 confirmed cases across 38 counties and at least four deaths reported this year.
Tensions have emerged between Pennsylvania officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state is seeking emergency assistance from the CDC but has warned that the request could be withdrawn unless the agency publicly recognizes the four measles-associated deaths. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously instructed the CDC not to publicly recognize these deaths.
Kennedy also faced criticism for headlining a Children’s Health Defense conference in Washington DC, where he addressed the measles outbreak only once and promoted unfounded fears about vaccine injuries. Additionally, the Trump administration changed how measles deaths are counted by having the CDC rely on data from the National Center for Health Statistics, though the reason for this change remains unclear.
In a separate recent incident, a measles-infected person traveled on an Amtrak train from Sedalia, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois, exposing more than 250 people in Jackson County alone.
