Kane Co. School Reopens After Measles Exposure Prompted E-Learning Day

MAPLE PARK, IL — Students at a Kane County high school who may have been exposed to measles at the school last week will return to in-person classes Wednesday, as health officials continue monitoring the potential exposure and the district verifies students' vaccination status.

Kaneland High School moved to an e-learning day Tuesday after the Kane County Health Department's vaccination grace period expired Monday evening while the district worked to verify vaccination records. The district announced Tuesday that KHS will reopen Wednesday.

The Kane County Health Department is investigating a confirmed measles case involving an unvaccinated Kane County resident. The individual was no longer infectious as of Tuesday, according to KCHD.

Health officials identified Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road in Maple Park, as a potential exposure location on Aug. 18, with exposure possibly occurring throughout the school day. A second potential exposure was identified at Next Generation Pediatric Clinic in South Elgin on Aug. 21 between 12:30 and 4 p.m.

KCHD is working with Kaneland, health care providers, community partners and the Illinois Department of Public Health to identify and notify people who may have been exposed.

The district's Tuesday e-learning day affected students at Kaneland High School and Fox Valley Career Center. District offices remained open, and the district said the temporary move to remote learning would not affect outplaced students or students in alternative programs.

The health department is urging anyone who may have been exposed to determine whether they have evidence of immunity against measles. Evidence can include documentation of the recommended doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of a previous measles infection, according to the health department.

People who are unprotected and were potentially exposed should stay home and quarantine for 21 days from the date of exposure unless they can provide evidence of immunity, according to KCHD. Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash. Symptoms generally develop seven to 21 days after exposure.

Anyone who develops symptoms and believes they may have been exposed should call their health care provider before going to a medical office, urgent care or emergency department. Calling ahead allows the facility to take precautions to protect other patients and health care workers.

KCHD said the best way to prevent measles is vaccination. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles.

People with questions about the investigation can call the Kane County Health Department's Measles Information Line at 331-240-3311 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.