Traveler with measles took bus to Manchester, health officials warn

Health officials said an overseas traveler infected with measles took a bus from Boston’s South Station to the Manchester Transportation Center this week.The traveler made the journey on Tuesday.>> Download the FREE WMUR appAnyone else who was on the same bus, Boston Express Line No. 5178, should consider themselves exposed to the virus, health officials said.>> Measles information from NH DHHSOfficials said the bus left Logan Airport at 9:25 p.m. with passengers on board and then picked up the infected traveler, among other people, at 10 p.m. at South Station.The bus then stops at 10:45 p.m. in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and at 11 p.m. in Nashua before coming to Manchester at 11:30 p.m.Officials also said anyone who was at South Station on Tuesday from 8:30 p.m. to midnight was potentially exposed to the virus.Those who were potentially exposed are urged to review their vaccination or immunity status. Those who aren’t vaccinated or are unsure about their immunization status should call the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496 or 603-271-5300. More than 99 percent of people who receive two doses of the measles vaccine develop immunity to the disease, officials said.”For those who are able to receive the vaccine, vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can help prevent disease, but people may still benefit from vaccination even after this time period. For those who are not able to receive the vaccine due to medical reasons, there are other available treatments which can help prevent disease,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist, said in a statement.Officials said measles is caused by a virus that is passed from person to person through the air when someone with the disease sneezes, coughs or talks. The virus, which is highly contagious for unvaccinated people, can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area, officials said. The incubation period for measles is typically two weeks.Symptoms include:– High fever– Cough– Runny nose– ConjunctivitisThese symptoms can appear several days before the development of a body rash, officials said.Anyone who feels sick should call their doctor before going directly to a health care facility.

Health officials said an overseas traveler infected with measles took a bus from Boston’s South Station to the Manchester Transportation Center this week.

The traveler made the journey on Tuesday.

>> Download the FREE WMUR app

Anyone else who was on the same bus, Boston Express Line No. 5178, should consider themselves exposed to the virus, health officials said.

>> Measles information from NH DHHS

Officials said the bus left Logan Airport at 9:25 p.m. with passengers on board and then picked up the infected traveler, among other people, at 10 p.m. at South Station.

The bus then stops at 10:45 p.m. in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and at 11 p.m. in Nashua before coming to Manchester at 11:30 p.m.

Officials also said anyone who was at South Station on Tuesday from 8:30 p.m. to midnight was potentially exposed to the virus.

Those who were potentially exposed are urged to review their vaccination or immunity status. Those who aren’t vaccinated or are unsure about their immunization status should call the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496 or 603-271-5300.

More than 99 percent of people who receive two doses of the measles vaccine develop immunity to the disease, officials said.

“For those who are able to receive the vaccine, vaccination within 72 hours of exposure can help prevent disease, but people may still benefit from vaccination even after this time period. For those who are not able to receive the vaccine due to medical reasons, there are other available treatments which can help prevent disease,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist, said in a statement.

Officials said measles is caused by a virus that is passed from person to person through the air when someone with the disease sneezes, coughs or talks.

The virus, which is highly contagious for unvaccinated people, can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the area, officials said.

The incubation period for measles is typically two weeks.

Symptoms include:

— High fever
— Cough
— Runny nose
— Conjunctivitis

These symptoms can appear several days before the development of a body rash, officials said.

Anyone who feels sick should call their doctor before going directly to a health care facility.

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