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Measles case closes Oxford Area High School in Chester County
Inquirer.com • • health
Key Points:
- Oxford Area High School closed on Oct. 9 after a confirmed measles case in the community, with unvaccinated students and staff required to quarantine for 21 days per Chester County policy.
- The school district is verifying vaccination status of all employees following a health department order, a step taken before reopening, though it remains unclear if the positive case involved a student or staff member.
- Pennsylvania is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, with more than 1,000 cases statewide and five deaths; Chester County has reported 86 cases, the third-highest in the state, with active virus circulation near Oxford.
- Measles vaccination rates in Chester County schools are close to the 95% herd immunity threshold, with Oxford Area High School reporting full MMR vaccination among 12th graders and over 96% among 7th graders at the middle school.
- Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications; public health officials continue to monitor the situation and will contact individuals exposed to the virus with guidance.
