Child dies from complication of measles contracted years earlier
[September 12, 2025]
By DEVI SHASTRI
A school-age child has died from a rare complication of measles
contracted in infancy, Los Angeles County health officials said
Thursday.
The child, who had been too young to be vaccinated when they were
infected by the virus, died of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis,
according to the county health department. The incurable disorder causes
progressive brain damage and is nearly universally fatal.
About 1 in 10,000 people who get measles develops the disorder, but the
risk is 1 in 600 for infants.
“This case is a painful reminder of how dangerous measles can be,
especially for our most vulnerable community members,” said Dr. Muntu
Davis, Los Angeles County health officer. “Infants too young to be
vaccinated rely on all of us to help protect them through community
immunity."
This has been the worst year for measles in the U.S. in more than three
decades, as childhood vaccination rates decline and domestic and
international outbreaks have spread. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention confirmed 1,454 cases as of Tuesday. Three people have died.
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Doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) are displayed
in a box at a CVS Pharmacy, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Miami. (AP
Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
 The measles, mumps and rubella
vaccine is safe and is 97% effective at preventing measles after two
doses. Doctors recommend kids get a shot at 12-15 months old and a
second one at age 4-6 years.
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