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Public health officials have announced that a second case of measles had been diagnosed in the Lowell area.
The Ministry of Public Health confirmed that one person had been diagnosed with measles on November 15 and may have exposed the disease to other people.
Measles was diagnosed in a previous patient on November 8th.
Both diagnoses were made at the Lowell Community Health Center, but Dr. Catherine Brown, state epidemiologist, stated that there was no known connection between the two cases.
"Our current efforts are to identify people who are likely to get sick and get them vaccinated," she said. "Getting vaccinated within 3 to 5 days of exposure can reduce the risk of getting measles."
The first symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold (fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes) and a rash occurs on the skin two to four days after the appearance of the first symptoms.
The Chelmsford Police Department stated that the most recent patient was present in a number of places where he could have been exposed to other people, including Chelmsford TJ Maxx on November 11 between 3pm and 5am. 19h
People may also have been exposed at the Lowell Community Health Center on November 15th from 4pm to 9pm. and Walmart Supercenter Tewksbury November 15 from 17h to 20h.
Anyone who visited these sites on any of these dates during the indicated hours is asked to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status.
Lowell's CHC is reaching out to potentially exposed patients and has established hours of immunization counseling for these patients.
"The first symptoms look like a cold," Chief Spinney said. "If you think you have been exposed to this person or if you think you have measles symptoms, please contact your health care provider and try to limit your exposure to others."
The Ministry of Public Health is asking everyone who does not know their measles vaccination status to be vaccinated with at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles vaccine administered within 72 hours of exposure may prevent the disease, and vaccination beyond this period will provide protection against subsequent exposures.
Health officials said exposed persons who were beginning to develop measles symptoms should call their health care provider before going to an office, clinic, or emergency department. Visiting a health facility can put others at risk and should be avoided.
Anyone who has ever had measles or two doses of the vaccine is unlikely to get measles, even if it is exposed.
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