Case of measles identified at Lowell Community Health Center

A case of measles was identified in a patient at the Lowell Community Health Center, according to a notice from the center Saturday.

The center said the person was a pediatric patient, and the case was identified on November 8.

The release said the patient is recovering at home, and was immediately isolated at the health center to "mitigate exposure."

"This is an unusual circumstance where we’re trying to be as safe as possible," infectious disease doctor Catherine Yu said. "We know when this exposure was."

The Lowell Community Health Center said they communicated with the Lowell Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to try and identify people who might have been exposed.

The center said anyone who was in the main lobby, the pediatric waiting room, pharmacy or lab between 12:53 p.m. and 5:22 p.m. on November 8 might have been exposed to the disease.

"Measles is serious," Yu said. "It’s a viral respiratory illness, it’s extremely contagious. It goes through the air, and so we do want people to take it seriously."

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Anyone who was with a patient or visited a lab or pharmacy between those hours on the day is also at risk for exposure.

The center said anyone who has been vaccinated is not at risk, or anyone born in the United States before 1967 is likely immune.

The health center is asking any patients who were at Lowell CHC during the timeframe who do not have confirmed immunization records to go in for testing to determine immunity and to get immunized.

"If it turns out they were not vaccinated and they were here at the time when they would have been exposed, then we’re worried they may need to sit out a couple of weeks when they could be contagious," Yu said. "We’re trying to prevent that."

Lowell Community Health Center patients with concerns should call the health center at 978-937-9700.

Others concerned about potential exposure can call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 24-hour helpline at 617-983-6800.

Cox Media Group