A second confirmed measles case has been confirmed in Lowell, MA on Saturday, according to a WCVB TV report.

Massachusetts/National Atlas
Massachusetts/National Atlas

This is the second case this month in Lowell. The Lowell Health Department reported a pediatric patient who was at Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) on Thursday, November 8.

Both cases were reported from the Lowell CHC. “There are no known links between the two cases,” according to state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown.

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CHC staff, along with public health officials are trying to contact possible exposures to determine who may require vaccination.

Anyone who visited the following locations at the listed dates and times are also urged to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status:

  • T.J. Maxx, 288 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford, 3–7 p.m., Nov. 11
  • Lowell Community Health Center, 161 Jackson St., Lowell, 4-9 p.m., Nov. 15
  • Walmart Supercenter, 333 Main St., Tewksbury, 5-8 p.m., Nov. 15

Measles is a disease caused by a virus that spreads very easily from person to person.  It usually lasts a week or two.  Measles looks and feels like a cold or the flu at first.  A cough, high fever, runny nose and red, watery eyes are common.  A few days later, a red, blotchy rash starts on the face, then spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles/CDC
Measles/CDC

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very

Measles often causes diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia.  Deafness, blindness, seizure disorders and other brain diseases with measles are less common.  Measles can also cause swelling of the brain and death, although this is rare in the United States.  Measles is most dangerous for children under 5 years of age, adults over 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

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The Center for Disease Control recommends all children get two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose should take place at age 12 to 15 months and the second dose at 4 to 6 years. Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received the two doses is unlikely to develop measles, even if exposed.