Health officials today called on passengers in the same high-speed rail (HSR) carriage as a man who has been diagnosed with measles to contact their local health authorities as soon as possible.
The man on Dec. 28 traveled in the second carriage of the No. 160 train from Zuoying in Kaohsiung to Taichung, the Kaohsiung Department of Health said.
His return journey was on Dec. 31 in the fourth carriage of the No. 153 train, traveling from Taichung to Zuoying.
Photo courtesy of the Taichung Metro
Those who were riding in the same train car are asked to call the Kaohsiung health authorities at 07-7230250 or contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at 1922.
The CDC on Friday last week identified the case, finding that he had traveled on the high-speed rail within the contagious period, which is four days before and after the onset of symptoms.
As the measles virus may still infect others within two hours after it enters the air, if a person is in an enclosed area with someone who is contagious, they are at risk of infection no matter how long they were exposed, the department said.
The incubation period of measles is seven to 18 days, and symptoms may arise 10 to 12 days after exposure, it said.
It causes symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash that covers the entire body, the WHO says.
Anyone exhibiting suspected symptoms should contact their local health authorities and arrange to see a doctor, the department said.
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