Kane County officials open measles testing site as rare case linked to Kaneland HS is confirmed

MAPLE PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Kane County health officials have established a testing site for people who may have been exposed to a recently confirmed measles case connected to Kaneland High School, a rare occurrence in a county that has seen few cases in recent decades.

The testing site, located in the parking lot of the Kane County Health Department, is available for anyone who may have been exposed at the high school or at the Next Generation Pediatric Clinic in South Elgin. Officials said people who cannot provide proof of vaccination can receive a blood test to determine whether they are protected against the disease.

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Measles is highly contagious and can spread even after an infected person has left an area, according to Kane County Public Health Executive Director Michael Isaacson.

"Unlike some issues where you have to be in the same room, with measles if you go into the same room with someone two hours earlier, it's possible you could still be infected," Isaacson said.

Health officials said more than 97% of students at Kaneland High School have been vaccinated. The student diagnosed with measles, however, was unvaccinated.

School officials closed Kaneland High School in an effort to separate those who may be at risk from those considered protected through vaccination.

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In a statement, the district said: "The health, safety, and well-being of our students, staff, and school community remain our highest priorities. The District is fully cooperating with public health officials to support contact tracing, immunization verification, and public health guidance."

Officials said anyone who may have been exposed and is not protected may need to monitor symptoms while quarantining for 21 days.

"Right now, anyone exposed to this case in the same location we're asking to stay home 21 days until we can prove their immunity," Isaacson said.

Health officials said vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. They said the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is about 97% effective after two doses.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough and rash, and officials said some cases can result in death.

"We want anyone potentially exposed to stay home, but we also want to minimize disruption. So, we are trying to quickly let people who could be cleared come back," Isaacson said.

The confirmed case is the first measles case reported in Kane County since 2019. Before that, the county had not recorded a case since the 1990s.

Health officials said measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but the number of cases has increased significantly across the country. They warned that the nation is now in danger of losing that eliminated status.