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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed a second case of measles in Lowell, officials said Saturday.
The person, who was diagnosed Thursday, was in several places and could have exposed others to the disease, according to a statement from the Department of Public Health.
A previous case of infection was confirmed on November 8th. Both diagnoses were made at the Lowell Community Health Center, the statement said.
"There is no known connection between the two cases," according to Dr. Catherine Brown, a state epidemiologist.
State efforts are now aimed at identifying "people who are likely to get sick and have them vaccinated," she said.
The Department of Public Health has urged people who do not know their immunization status to be vaccinated with at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Anyone who visited the following locations on the dates and times indicated is also asked to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status:
- T.J. Maxx, 288 Chelmsford Street, Chelmsford, 3 pm-7pm, November 11th
- Lowell Community Health Center, 161 Jackson Street, Lowell, 4 pm to 7 pm November 15
- Walmart Supercenter, 333 Main Street, Tewksbury, 5 am to 8 pm, November 15
Measles is spread easily from one person to the other and usually lasts a week or two. At first, the symptoms include a cough, a high fever, a runny nose and red, watery eyes. Later, sufferers may have a spotted facial rash that can spread to the rest of the body.
The measles virus lives in the nose and throat and is sprayed in the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs or talks and can stay in the air for up to 2 hours.
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