Riders urged to be watchful for signs of measles infection

BART and Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) are urging riders to seek medical attention if they exhibit any symptoms of measles after CCHS learned that a person infected with the contagious disease traveled on BART in the East Bay last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says measles has been virtually wiped out in the United States thanks to vaccinations but the disease still poses a risk to those who have not been vaccinated.

The person infected with measles traveled between El Cerrito del Norte and Downtown Berkeley stations on Tuesday, February 4 through Friday, February 7 between 8 to 10 am and in the afternoon/evening commute hours.

The measles virus is transmitted through the air and the virus can live in the air for up to two hours. BART uses industrial-strength disinfectant to clean its trains at the end of the line during the day and each night.

According to CDC, “the symptoms of measles generally begin about 7-14 days after a person is infected, and include:

•    Measles Rash
•    Blotchy rash
•    Fever
•    Cough
•    Runny nose
•    Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
•    Feeling run down, achy (malaise)
•    Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)

For more information about measles, visit http://cchealth.org/  
Contra Costa County residents can also call 925-313-6740. City of Berkeley residents can call 510-981-5300.
Additional information is available at  www.cdc.gov