Kaneland High School students exposed to measles, health department confirms

Kaneland High School students may have been exposed to measles throughout the school day Aug. 18, the Kane County Health Department confirmed Tuesday.

The high school in Maple Park held an e-learning day Tuesday while officials there worked through verifying the vaccination status of students.

The school is one of two locations health department officials identified Tuesday where people may have been exposed to the illness. The other exposure occurred between 12:30 and 4 p.m. Aug. 21 at Next Generation Pediatric Clinic in South Elgin.

Additional exposure information may be released as the health department’s investigation continues, officials said.

The individual who contracted measles was not vaccinated against the disease, but was no longer infectious as of Tuesday.

“We understand that news of a confirmed measles case may be concerning, particularly when there are potential exposures in schools and other community settings,” health department Executive Director Michael Isaacson said in a news release. “Our priority is identifying people who may have been exposed, making sure they receive timely guidance, and providing the community with accurate information as the investigation continues.”

Anyone who was at the high school or clinic during the potential exposure period should first determine whether they are protected against measles by MMR vaccine, laboratory evidence of immunity, or laboratory confirmation of previous measles infection, officials said.

Those who can’t locate vaccination records can contact their healthcare provider, school, previous healthcare providers or the Illinois Department of Public Health’s vaccination records portal, Vax Verify.

Those unprotected should stay home and quarantine for 21 days from the date of potential exposure and monitor for symptoms, which include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rashes that typically start on the face and then spread.

If symptoms develop and you believe you may have been exposed to measles, the county health department advises calling your healthcare provider before going to a medical office, urgent care or emergency department to allow the facility to make arrangements to protect other patients and healthcare workers.

Questions about measles, potential exposure, symptoms, vaccination or quarantine can be addressed by staff at the Kane County Health Department Measles Information Call Center at (331) 240-3311 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More information also can be found at kanehealth.com/Pages/Measles-Update.aspx.

rwest@dailyherald.com