SPARTA, Tenn. — A case of measles has been confirmed within the White County school system in Sparta — about 90 miles northeast of Moore County — and Tennessee public health officials are monitoring the situation.
White County Schools Director Kurt Dronebarger notified parents and staff on March 24, citing a clinically diagnosed case within the school community. The district did not release details about the individual’s identity, grade level, or specific campus location, citing HIPAA and student privacy laws.
The notification follows a confirmation last week from the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) of what appears to be the state’s first publicly reported measles case of 2026 — a mid-state resident who became infected in early March and is recovering at home, with public health officials still working to identify locations and persons potentially exposed. It is not yet confirmed whether the White County school case and the TDH-confirmed case are the same individual. The Lynchburg Times will update this story as more information becomes available…