Health Officials Confirm New Measles Cases: One Man Worked In South Station

Today, the Boston Public Health Commission said it was following up on the five new cases. Here's the statement:

Only one patient is a Boston resident, while the other four sought treatment at Boston healthcare facilities, visited the city, or worked here while contagious. The patients range in age from 16 months to 65 years, and include a man in his 40s who worked at South Station while contagious. So far, no link has been established between the cases. Officials noted that there is an ongoing measles outbreak in Europe.

Measles is an airborne virus that is spread person to person through the air. People are considered immune to measles if they have had two doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR) or have had a blood test showing that they are immune to measles. If people do not know their immune status, they should try to locate their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms.

Symptoms usually begin 10 to 12 days after exposure to a person with measles, but can be delayed for as long as 18 days. Early symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, cough, and red, watery eyes. A skin rash usually occurs two to four days later and begins on the face but soon spreads to other parts of the body. If person thinks they have symptoms of measles, they should call their healthcare provider.