New measles exposure warnings have been issued for three grocery stores and pharmacies in Chester County, Pennsylvania, as a local high school was closed on Friday, October 9 following a reported case of the highly contagious disease.
The Chester County Health Department is warning of possible measles exposures at two CVS pharmacies and a Giant supermarket on October 4.
The alerts come as the Oxford area high school was closed Friday as school officials worked to verify staff vaccination records following a reported case of measles.
The Oxford Area School District has not confirmed whether the infected person is a student or staff member.
A teacher at the high school told NBC10 he didn’t learn of the closure until he arrived at the school Friday morning. He said he was researching decades-old immunization records to meet the district’s requirements.
“I was vaccinated in 1971. So that’s our plan today, because if we don’t have those on file, we can’t reopen the school,” the teacher said.
The closure and increasing number of exposure warnings have raised concerns among families in the community.
“It’s something that you see and happens elsewhere, but when it finally happens more locally, it starts to seem more real,” said Oscar Sanchez, whose brother attends Oxford Area High School.
Measles exposure warnings extend beyond school
Possible exposures to measles are not limited to high school.
A local dance studio informed families that a teenager with measles visited the facility on October 1.
Health officials also identified possible exposures at two CVS pharmacies and a Giant supermarket in Chester County on October 4.
“We know the individual was visiting other family members, so those are all related,” said Jeanne Franklin with the Chester County Health Department.
Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,136 cases of measles.
As the number of measles cases continues to rise, health experts tell NBC10’s Deanna Durante how you can protect yourself.
Health officials urge residents to check their immunity
As health officials investigate possible exposures, some Chester County residents are taking steps to test their immunity.
Oscar Sanchez said he had a blood test Friday to check his immunity to measles.
“I just got back from having blood tests. I think it’s important to know where you stand, to stay vaccinated, just to be safe, not only for yourself but for others around you,” Sanchez said.
The Chester County Health Department said it was not concerned about Oxford Area High School’s response to the reported case and praised the school’s cooperation.
Additional cleaning was conducted at the school, according to the report.
“The health and well-being of our students, staff and community are extremely important to us, and we recognize that receiving this information may raise questions, concerns and uncertainties. Please know that we are working closely with the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) and following their guidance every step of the way,” Superintendent Dr. David Woods wrote in a statement.
Health officials are urging people who may have been exposed to measles to check their immune status.
School officials say any students or staff who are not vaccinated or cannot prove their vaccination status cannot attend school or activities and must quarantine for 21 days.
The most recent information on cases, hospitalizations and deaths is available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Measles Dashboard.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and a reporter from NBC Philadelphia edited the article for publication.
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