The health officials of Los Angeles County reported the death of a resident of school -going, but a well -known but rare complication after a measles infection obtained during the infection and for residents to ensure that their families have been vaccinated against the disease.
Why it is important
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said on Thursday that the child was first infected with measles as a baby before they were eligible to receive the measles vaccine, that it is routinely recommended to be administered between 12 and 15 months old.
Although the child recovered from the initial disease of measles, they eventually developed and died of subacute sclerosing Panencefalitis or SSPE – a rare, progressive brain disorder that can be a late complication of a measles infection early in life.
By the figures
SSPE affects about one in 10,000 measles cases, but the risk increases to one in 600 for infants before they are eligible for vaccination, according to La County Health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on 9 September, 1,454 confirmed measles stores nationally.
Context
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes symptoms such as fever, cough and a characteristic rash. It can also lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.
The US has registered the number of highest measles cases since 2000 earlier this year, with Texas and New Mexico rising an increase in January as a result of falling vaccination rate in children.
There have been eight cases of measles in people who were in Los Angeles County while they were contagious, including four inhabitants and four non-residents in 2025.
What is the following?
Health officials urge residents to check immunization files, to vaccinate eligible relatives and take precautions, especially before they travel to areas with outbreaks of measles.
