Kaneland High School in Maple Park is back to in-person classes as of Wednesday after shifting to virtual learning the day before due to potential exposure to measles at the school, the district says.
But, while school activities have resumed, Kaneland School District 302 is urging families — particularly those with students at the high school — to monitor their children for symptoms through Sept. 8, although the risk of contracting measles is low for those who are vaccinated.
On Monday, a measles case was confirmed in Kane County. The case is the fifth reported in Illinois so far in 2026, in a year that has already seen nationwide numbers exceed the total tally for the year prior. It’s also the county’s first measles case since 2019, and only its third in the past roughly 30 years.
In a statement, Kaneland said the district is unable to disclose “specific health … information regarding any student, staff member or visitor,” but a district spokesman confirmed that it was a student at the high school who was confirmed to have measles.
As of Tuesday, the individual with measles — who was unvaccinated against the disease — was no longer infectious, said the Kane County Health Department.
But, although the individual is no longer infectious, the health department said that individuals who were at Kaneland High School throughout the school day on Aug. 18 or Next Generation Pediatric Clinic in South Elgin on Aug. 21 between 12:30 and 4 p.m. may have been exposed to the disease in connection with the confirmed case.
Measles is considered one of the most contagious viruses known to medicine. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. Symptoms can include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that often begins on the head and then spreads.
At Kaneland, the potential exposure came less than a week after the start of the school year.
On Sunday, the school community was informed about the situation, with a message from district administration indicating that vaccination provides “robust, long-term protection” and that the risk of contracting measles was “extremely low” for students and staff who are vaccinated.
Of its more than 1,100 students, 97.7% of students at the high school are vaccinated against measles, according to figures from the Illinois Department of Public Health, a rate that slightly exceeds both the county and state averages for school children during the 2025-26 year.
Vaccination rates nationwide, however, have fallen in recent years to below the 95% coverage needed to prevent outbreaks of the disease, and the United States’ measles-free status is slated to be reviewed later this year.
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Still, the district message urged families — especially those with students at the high school — to monitor their children for symptoms through Sept. 8, which is 21 days after the possible date of exposure. Families of students at the high school received direct public health guidance, including specific clinical instructions for healthcare providers.
Kaneland opted to shift to e-learning for high schoolers on Tuesday as the district worked to verify individuals’ vaccination statuses, according to another message to the school community provided to The Beacon-News by the district. The virtual learning day applied to all students at Kaneland High School and the Fox Valley Career Center, but not to outplaced students, per the message from district administration.
Following the virtual learning day on Tuesday, Kaneland opted to return to in-person instruction and school activities at the high school beginning on Wednesday, per the district. Another message to the school community from the district’s administration still urged students who are not feeling well to stay home and be reported to the high school’s health office.
Going forward, the district says it is cooperating with public health officials for contact tracing, immunization verification and public health guidance efforts.
Meanwhile, the Kane County Health Department is continuing its response to the confirmed case. Namely, it’s working to release people from quarantine as soon as possible and is urging anyone who may have been exposed — even those who are vaccinated — to monitor for symptoms, executive director Michael Isaacson said on Wednesday.
The health department has also issued further guidance on what to do if you were at one of the two possible exposure locations.
Individuals who were at one of the identified locations during the potential exposure period should first determine whether they are protected against measles, according to the department.
Evidence of immunity could include documentation of the recommended two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine, laboratory evidence of immunity or laboratory confirmation of a previous measles infection. People born before 1957 are generally assumed to have immunity to the disease because of how widespread it used to be.
Two doses of the vaccine are about 97% effective, the county health department says, and the primary risk is to those who are unvaccinated.
Individuals may be able to check their vaccination records on Vax Verify, or they can obtain records from their previous healthcare provider, school, employer or state immunization information system where the vaccinations were given. People who are unsure whether they’re protected against measles should contact their healthcare provider, the health department says.
Anyone who is unprotected and was potentially exposed to the disease should stay home and quarantine for 21 days from the date of potential exposure unless they can provide evidence of immunity, per the health department. The department or another public health authority may provide specific quarantine instructions based on an individual’s circumstances.
Additionally, anyone who develops symptoms and believes they may have been exposed to measles should call their healthcare provider before going to a medical office, urgent care or emergency department, the health department has cautioned, because it allows the facility to make appropriate arrangements to protect other patients and healthcare workers.
The county has also opened up a call center — which is staffed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached at 331-240-3311 — for questions about measles, potential exposure, symptoms, vaccination or quarantine.
The Associated Press contributed.
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