Los Angeles child dies from rare measles complication years after recovery

A school-age child in Los Angeles has died of a rare complication from measles, years after being infected with the virus. The Los Angeles County health department announced the death Thursday, part of a warning to residents about the importance of getting vaccinated.

The department said the child got measles as an infant before they were eligible for their first measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot. The first dose should be given to babies at 12 to 15 months, followed by a second at 4 to 6 years.

The child recovered, but years later developed a rare, progressive brain disorder known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), the department said. The condition can occur in people who had measles early in life, usually around 2 to 10 years after the initial infection.

“This case is a painful reminder of how dangerous measles can be, especially for our most vulnerable community members,” Dr. Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County health officer, said in a news release.




https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/los-angeles-child-dies-rare-measles-complication-years-after-recovery-rcna230675