WPVI
OXFORD, Pa. (WPVI) -- Parents and students in the Oxford Area School District in Chester County were notified Thursday night that a measles case had been confirmed in the school community, prompting the closure of Oxford Area High School on Friday and accelerating efforts to verify vaccination records among school staff.
Pennsylvania requires students to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, unless they have a medical or religious exemption. However, that requirement does not extend to school staff.
According to the Chester County Health Department, the district had already begun collecting vaccination records for staff across its schools as measles cases spread in the county.
Following the confirmed case, officials expedited that process at the high school.
Teachers and staff at Oxford Area High School were instructed to provide documentation of their vaccination status or risk being unable to return to school for weeks if they were found to have been exposed to the virus.
The Chester County Public Health Director said the district had already been working to verify staff vaccination records in anticipation of a possible exposure.
"We are down to the last few to confirm, and then we can inform the schools, 'This is how many of your staff and who they actually are who have not provided confirmation,'" said Jeanne Franklin, Chester County public health director.
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Franklin said the verification process for staff at the high school building was expected to be completed before Monday, while the district continues the process at other buildings.
In a letter sent to families Friday afternoon, the superintendent said: "The Oxford Area School District has been monitoring this measles outbreak since before the start of this 2026-2027 school year. Several weeks ago, the Oxford Area School District had sent out a voluntary staff request for the submission of their immunization records, just to prepare for the possibility of a situation such as this."
Anyone determined to have been exposed will be contacted by the Chester County Health Department. Individuals who are not vaccinated, or who cannot provide proof of vaccination, will be barred from attending school or school-related activities for the next 21 days.
Some parents expressed concern about the confirmed case.
"Just a little bit. We take all precautions. I explain to be careful in the school," said parent Ismael Martinez.
"Yeah, it's a little concerning. My children are vaccinated so I'm not as worried as probably a lot of other people, but it is definitely something that is concerning and something that we should probably get a hold of," said Kylie Francis.
Some parents questioned why only the high school was closed and not other schools in the district.
The department said the person who tested positive for measles does not ride a school bus, reducing concerns about transmission to other school buildings. Officials also confirmed that the affected individual was not vaccinated.
"It seems to be like too many people are not vaccinating their children because they don't believe in vaccines. But they've always worked. And you have the right to not vaccinate your child, but you have no right to endanger mine," said Annie Buechler of Peach Bottom.
In a notice issued Friday afternoon, the health department said the infected individual was present at three stores while contagious on Sunday, Oct. 4:
The health department advised anyone who may have been exposed to verify whether they are immune to measles. Officials also said the infected individual had contact with other people in private settings and that those individuals have been contacted.
The school district said it will provide an update to families on Sunday evening.