A school-aged child in Los Angeles County has died from a rare complication of measles, health officials announced on Thursday. The child contracted measles as an infant, before being eligible for the measles vaccine, which is typically administered between 12 and 15 months of age. Despite initially recovering from the illness, the child developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a universally fatal brain disorder that occurs in about one in 10,000 measles cases, or as frequently as one in 600 for those infected as infants.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health emphasized the importance of vaccination to protect vulnerable individuals who cannot yet receive the vaccine. “This case is a painful reminder of how dangerous measles can be, especially for our most vulnerable community members,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A. County Health Officer. He urged residents to verify their immunization status and contribute to community immunity.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but recent declines in vaccination rates threaten this status. The risk of measles becoming endemic again is increasing, with some experts warning it could happen within 25 years if current trends continue. California, which has strict vaccination laws, maintains a high immunization rate, but nationwide rates have fallen below the threshold needed for herd immunity.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is urging the public to stay vigilant, get vaccinated, and help protect those who are too young to receive the vaccine. Anyone who needs to talk can call 800-273-8255 no matter the time of day.
Recent Comments