Doctors warn of ‘frightening’ measles complication that can strike a decade after initial infection
As Alberta’s measles case counts continue to soar, doctors and scientists are sounding the alarm about the long-term and lesser-known complications of measles. One such complication is subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare and debilitating neurological condition that can develop long after a child recovers from measles. This condition can be deadly and devastating for those affected.
Dr. Sam Wong, an Edmonton-based pediatrician and president of the section of pediatrics with the Alberta Medical Association, expressed his concerns about SSPE, stating that while it doesn’t happen very often, when it does, the consequences are severe. SSPE occurs when the measles virus hides out in brain cells, eventually causing brain inflammation that leads to loss of movement and speech. This destruction of brain cells is irreversible, and patients can end up in a coma before succumbing to the disease.
According to Dawn Bowdish, a professor of immunology at McMaster University, SSPE occurs in between four and 11 out of every 100,000 measles cases. It typically strikes between seven and 11 years after the initial infection, with the highest rates seen in children who contract measles before the age of two. Bowdish emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing such grim long-term effects of measles.
Alberta’s routine childhood immunization schedule recommends two doses of the measles vaccine, with the first dose administered at 12 months and the second at 18 months. In light of the current outbreaks, the province is offering an extra dose of the measles vaccine to babies as young as six months old in the most affected health zones.
Dr. Vivien Suttorp, the lead medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services in the South Zone, expressed concern for infants whose mothers are unvaccinated. Babies born to unimmunized mothers are vulnerable to measles and its complications, including SSPE. Suttorp highlighted the lack of treatment for SSPE and stressed the importance of vaccination to prevent such devastating outcomes.
Recent declines in measles vaccination rates in Alberta have contributed to the surge in outbreaks, leading to further complications beyond SSPE. Measles infection can wipe out a person’s immune memory, making them more susceptible to other infections for months or even years. This immune amnesia occurs because measles infects and kills specific immune cells, leaving individuals vulnerable to a range of infections.
In light of these long-term complications and risks associated with measles, experts urge parents to vaccinate their children to protect them from the disease and its potential consequences. With most of this year’s cases occurring among unimmunized children, the importance of vaccination cannot be overstated. Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red rash that appears days after the fever starts.
Alberta Health provides detailed information on measles case counts, symptoms, and free immunizations on their website. A standing measles exposure advisory remains in effect for southern Alberta due to widespread transmission in the region. For those with questions or concerns, a measles hotline is available for assistance.
In conclusion, the recent surge in measles cases in Alberta underscores the importance of vaccination in preventing not only the initial infection but also its long-term and potentially deadly complications. By vaccinating children and ensuring high immunization rates, we can protect individuals from the devastating impact of measles and its associated risks.
