State health officials say a second case of Measles has been diagnosed in the Lowell area.

The Department of Public Health confirmed that a person was diagnosed with measles on Nov. 15 and may have exposed the illness to other people.

An earlier patient was diagnosed with measles on Nov. 8.

Both diagnoses were made at Lowell Community Health Center, but State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said there are no known links between the two cases.

"Our efforts now are to identify people who may be at risk of getting ill and to get them vaccinated," she said. "Getting vaccinated within 3-5 days of an exposure can reduce the likelihood of getting measles."

Early symptoms of measles occur 10 days to two weeks after exposure and may resemble a cold (including fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes) and a rash occurs on the skin two to four days after the initial symptoms develop.

The Chelmsford Police Department said the most recent patient was present in a number of places that could have resulted in exposure to other people, including at the Chelmsford T.J. Maxx on Nov. 11 between 3 and 7 p.m.

People may also have been exposed to the individual at the Lowell Community Health Center on Nov. 15 from 4 to 9 p.m. and at the Walmart Supercenter in Tewksbury on Nov. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Anyone who visited these locations on any of these dates during the times listed is advised to contact their health care provider to confirm their immunization status.

Lowell CHC is reaching out to its patients who were potentially exposed there, and has established vaccination clinic hours for those patients.

"Early symptoms are similar to having a cold," Chief Spinney said. "If you believe you may have been exposed to this person or if you believe you may have symptoms of measles, please contact your health care provider and try to limit your exposure to others."

The Department of Public Health urges all those who do not know their measles immunization status to get vaccinated with at least one dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure may prevent measles disease, and vaccination beyond this window will provide protection from subsequent exposures.

Health officials said who were exposed and begin to develop symptoms of measles should call their healthcare provider before visiting an office, clinic or emergency department. Visiting a healthcare facility may put others at risk and should be avoided.

Anyone who has had measles in the past or has received two doses of the vaccine is unlikely to develop measles even if exposed.