Latest news with #SSPE
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'My daughter died after getting measles as a baby - this is my plea'
Rebecca Archer's daughter Renae died aged 10 after being diagnosed with a rare brain disease A mother who lost her daughter to complications from measles has issued a heartfelt plea to parents to vaccinate their children. The warning comes after a child in Liverpool died from the disease. Rebecca Archer's 10-year-old daughter Renae passed away after being diagnosed with a rare and devastating brain condition known as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). This progressive neurological disorder, which affects the central nervous system, can be triggered by contracting measles. Renae contracted measles at just five months old, a time when she was still too young to receive the vaccine. Rebecca is now urging parents to ensure their children receive their vaccinations, firmly believing that if more children had been vaccinated, her daughter would not have contracted measles as a baby, and ultimately, would still be alive today. Rebecca said: "Renae hadn't had the MMR because she was under 12 months old. If there wasn't an outbreak and more kids had their vaccinations, then she wouldn't have got the measles in the first place. And it wouldn't have ultimately ended her life. "It's like a nightmare, it's still hard to believe that's why Renae's not here anymore. Because of having the measles ten years previously." Rebecca recalled that after the initial bout of measles, Renae had been unwell for only a few days before returning to full health, making the eventual outcome all the more devastating. A decade following a bout with measles, young Renae suffered seizures at school, leading to the devastating diagnosis of SSPE. Renae's condition declined gradually, until Rebecca, from Salford, Greater Manchester, faced the heartbreaking situation last September: it was time to switch off her daughter's life support. First speaking a year ago, Rebecca said: "She had one every week and then I think it was the third seizure where they did an MRI. Then that's when they discovered there was some swelling on her brain. "Her motor functions started to deteriorate – she just slowly couldn't speak or eat. When she went into ICU, they didn't know what was actually causing it. "It was actually the measles and it was SSPE. And that's when they told me it was going to be fatal. And then we had to make a decision to turn the machines off." Dr Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer for NHS Greater Manchester, has expressed hope that sharing Rebecca's traumatic ordeal would 'encourage' others to verify their children's immunisation records. Dr Kumar said: "Rebecca's story is one example of many, that illustrate why we need to urgently reverse the decline in the uptake of childhood vaccinations, in order to protect not only ourselves and our families, but our wider communities. We hope that through brave people like Rebecca coming forward with their personal stories. "Combined with the multi-media campaign, it will serve as a reminder that these diseases have not gone away. It will encourage parents and guardians to check their children's vaccination status and book appointments if any immunisations have been missed. "Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed to get lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Simply by ensuring you have both doses you not only protect you and your family against the illness, but also those who you come into contact with who may be vulnerable."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Mum who lost daughter to measles has one message for every parent
Mum who lost daughter to measles has one message for every parent There has been a decline in vaccine uptake Rebecca Archer with daughter Renae (Image: NHS Greater Manchester/SWNS ) The mother of a girl who died of complications from having measles as a baby has urged parents to get their children vaccinated. The warning comes as news emerged of the death of a child in Liverpool from the disease. Rebecca Archer's daughter Renae, 10, died after it was discovered she had a very rare brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). The condition is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and can be caused by catching measles. Renae caught measles when she was five months old, but she was too young to have the jab then. Rebecca urged parents to give their children their vaccinations, as she believes that if more kids had the jab, then she wouldn't have had measles as a baby. She said: "Renae hadn't had the MMR because she was under 12 months old. If there wasn't an outbreak and more kids had their vaccinations, then she wouldn't have got the measles in the first place. And it wouldn't have ultimately ended her life." Rebecca added: "It's like a nightmare, it's still hard to believe that's why Renae's not here anymore. Because of having the measles ten years previously. "She was poorly for a few days. After that, everything went back to normal - she was fit and healthy." Article continues below A decade after having measles, Renae started having seizures at school, which is when she was diagnosed with SSPE. The youngster slowly lost the ability to speak or eat and Rebecca was told in September last year that they needed to turn her life support machine off. Rebecca Archer with daughter Renae (Image: NHS Greater Manchester/SWNS ) First speaking out a year ago, Rebecca, of Salford, Greater Manchester, said: "She had one every week and then I think it was the third seizure where they did an MRI. Then that's when they discovered there was some swelling on her brain. "Her motor functions started to deteriorate – she just slowly couldn't speak or eat. When she went into ICU, they didn't know what was actually causing it. "It was actually the measles and it was SSPE. And that's when they told me it was going to be fatal. And then we had to make a decision to turn the machines off." Dr Manisha Kumar, the chief medical officer for NHS Greater Manchester, hoped Rebecca's story would 'encourage' people to check their child's vaccination status. Rebecca Archer (Image: NHS Greater Manchester/SWNS ) She said: "Rebecca's story is one example of many, that illustrate why we need to urgently reverse the decline in the uptake of childhood vaccinations, in order to protect not only ourselves and our families, but our wider communities. We hope that through brave people like Rebecca coming forward with their personal stories. "Combined with the multi-media campaign, it will serve as a reminder that these diseases have not gone away. It will encourage parents and guardians to check their children's vaccination status and book appointments if any immunisations have been missed. Article continues below "Two doses of the MMR vaccine are needed to get lifelong protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Simply by ensuring you have both doses you not only protect you and your family against the illness, but also those who you come into contact with who may be vulnerable."
CBC
04-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Doctors warn of 'frightening' measles complication that can strike a decade after initial infection
As Alberta's measles case counts soar, doctors and scientists are warning parents about the long-term and lesser-known complications of measles. And they can be deadly. As of midday Wednesday Alberta had reported a total of 749 cases since the outbreaks began in March. What many parents may not realize is that a rare and debilitating neurological condition, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can develop long after a child recovers from measles. "It just frightens the heck out of me," said Dr. Sam Wong, an Edmonton-based pediatrician and president of the section of pediatrics with the Alberta Medical Association. "Thankfully it doesn't happen very often but, when it does, it's devastating." Most people can clear the measles virus once their infection is over. But in some very young children, or people who are immune-suppressed, the virus hides out in brain cells and develops mutations that allow it to stay invisible to the immune system, according to Dawn Bowdish, a professor of immunology at McMaster University. Brain inflammation It can eventually flare up, causing brain inflammation, causing children or young adults to lose the ability to move and speak. "It starts destroying the cells of the brain — there's no treatment, there's no way to repair a broken brain — and so eventually they can end up in a coma and then they will die of it," said Bowdish. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, SSPE occurs in between four and 11 out of every 100,000 measles cases. Health officials say it strikes between seven and 11 years after an initial infection and the highest rates are among children who contract measles before the age of two. "One of the reasons we're so universally stating that people need to be vaccinated is because some of these long-term effects are just so grim," said Bowdish. Alberta's routine childhood immunization schedule recommends babies receive two doses of measles vaccine, with the first administered at 12 months and the second at 18 months. The province is offering an extra, and early, dose of the measles vaccine to babies as young as six months old who are living in the south, central and north health zones, where the current outbreaks are most intense. As the lead medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services in the South Zone, Dr. Vivien Suttorp worries about young babies whose mothers are unvaccinated. Typically, antibodies are passed along to the fetus during the third trimester, which protect them during their first few months of life, she said. But if a mom isn't immunized, the baby won't have that early protection. "They're extremely vulnerable to getting measles after birth ... and of the complications," she said, pointing to SSPE. "That's very concerning. And there is no treatment for that." According to Alberta Health, SSPE declined with the widespread adoption of measles immunization decades ago. Three cases of SSPE were reported in Alberta in 1984, followed by one case in in 1986, one in 1990 and one in 1992. No cases were reported from 1993 to 2013. In 2014, there was one more case reported in a woman who was born outside of Canada with an unknown history of measles immunization. Immune memory impacts In recent years, measles vaccination rates in Alberta have declined, and experts say that has paved the way for surging outbreaks. "Another curious complication [of measles infection] is immune amnesia," said Suttorp. Measles can wipe out a person's immune memory, she said, and make people more susceptible to other infections for months and even years. "So not only when someone has measles are they at higher risk for an infection like a bacterial pneumonia … but this also happens up to two to three years later," said Suttorp. "There is a memory loss of viruses and bacteria that someone has been exposed to before and mounted antibodies to." Bowdish said this this longer-term immune system complication happens because measles infects and kills a specific type of immune cells. "We know that people who've had measles tend to need more doctors appointments, more antibiotics and they're more susceptible to other infections for months to years to follow because measles destroys the very immune cells that we use to protect ourselves," she said. According to Bowdish, more severe initial infections trigger the loss of more immune cells and make the long-term impacts worse. She's particularly worried about infants under six months old,who are too young to be vaccinated. "Those are some of the people who are the most likely to have these really rare and severe complications," said Bowdish. "There is nothing we can do except vaccinate the people around them to protect those really, really young babies." These long-term complications are in addition to the risks that come during the initial infection, which include ear infections, pneumonia, brain swelling and death. Measles infections are fatal in roughly one to three out of every 1,000 cases, according to the Alberta government. Provincial data shows most of this year's cases are among children (569 of the 749 cases this year are under the age of 18). And the vast majority of cases are among people who are unimmunized. "Please vaccinate your child," said Wong. "It's very concerning from my point of view that, as the numbers increase, the risk of these longer-term side effects will increase, because it's a numbers game." Measles symptoms include: High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red eyes. Blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts. In darker skin colours, it may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin. Alberta Health provides detailed information on measles case counts, symptoms and free immunizations here. A list of possible exposure alerts can be found here and a measles hotline is available for people with questions about symptoms, immunization records or to book an appointment: 1-844-944-3434. A standing measles exposure advisory remains in effect for southern Alberta, due to widespread transmission in the region.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
At least 62 Israelis infected with measles amid outbreak, Health Ministry says
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, transmitted through the air via tiny droplets from bodily fluids, such as during sneezing or coughing. Israel has seen a spike in measles diagnoses in recent weeks, according to information published by the Health Ministry. At least 62 people have recently been diagnosed, approximately half of whom have already recovered. In many of the cases, the source of infection is unknown, and most of those infected were not vaccinated against the disease. The ministry also reported a new case of measles with potential exposure in public places. According to an epidemiological investigation by the Central District Health Bureau, the infected person visited the following locations: Ben Gurion Airport Arrival Hall – May 22, between 16:00 and 17:00 Shake Shack Restaurant, Cinema City Rishon LeZion – May 24, between 16:00 and 17:00 People who were present at these locations during the specified times are advised to ensure they are vaccinated against measles. Anyone over six months old who is not vaccinated should receive ameasles vaccine. Those who have had only one dose and it has been at least three months since their vaccination should receive a second dose. People born before 1957, who were likely exposed as children, or those who have received two doses, do not need further vaccination. Children under 6 years old should complete their vaccinations at Tipat Halav clinics (child wellness centers). Children over 7 and adults can get vaccinated through their healthcare providers. The ministry also recommends that pregnant women who are not fully vaccinated, immunocompromised individuals, and infants who were at the mentioned locations consult their regional health bureau about possibly receiving passive immunization against measles. Furthermore, the public is urged: If you're feeling unwell or showing typical symptoms of measles, do not attend crowded events and risk exposing your family and those around you. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, transmitted through the air via tiny droplets from bodily fluids, such as during sneezing or coughing. It has one of the highest infection rates among infectious diseases—about 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to an infected person will contract the virus. Symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 weeks after exposure and include: High fever, runny nose, eye inflammation, dry cough, and a distinctive rash covering the body. Most patients recover within a few days, but in some cases, measles can lead to complications like pneumonia, ear infections, and liver damage. A rare but severe complication is encephalitis (brain inflammation) or a later chronic neurological disorder called SSPE (Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis). The risk of SSPE is significantly higher in infants who were infected before receiving a vaccine. The Texas health department said on Tuesday it was "cautiously optimistic" about the spread of measles in the state after it saw only one additional case since its last update. The state recorded 729 cases of measles on Tuesday, one more since its last update on Friday. The spread of measles in the state has shown signs of slowing down over the past two weeks. The number of infections in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak in the state, remained unchanged at 408 since the last update, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. "We're cautiously optimistic this trend will continue, but all it takes is the virus getting into a new pocket of people without immunity to see that change," Chris Van Deusen, director of media relations at the Texas health department, told Reuters in an email. The United States is battling one of the worst measles outbreaks it has seen, with cases crossing 1,000 for the first time in five years and three confirmed deaths. Experts have urged public health officials to provide urgent endorsement for highly effective vaccines. The measles vaccine is 97% effective after two doses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak in Texas has spread to neighboring states, including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. New Mexico's health department reported 79 cases on Tuesday, one additional case from its last update on Friday. Sign up for the Health & Wellness newsletter >>
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
7-yr-old girl suffering from rare brain disorder dies in Kolhapur
Kolhapur: Seven-year-old Ovi Pujari passed away on Sunday evening from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) — a rare and devastating brain disorder stemming from complications of a measles virus infection. Her father, 36-year-old Sagar Pujari, exhausted every possible avenue, even importing costly injections from China, in a desperate, but ultimately futile, battle to save his daughter. Ovi had been a vibrant and normal child until convulsions began when she was in Class I. Tests revealed the grim diagnosis of SSPE, a condition so rare it affects only one or two children per lakh. Medical professionals informed Sagar that despite his efforts, no guaranteed treatment existed. Sagar, a small hotel proprietor, sold his property and borrowed money from a local society in Hatkanangle tehsil of Kolhapur district to facilitate treatment at a specialist neurological hospital. India faces a scarcity of the Ribavirin vaccine. Upon learning about its availability in China, Sagar invested substantial money to import 30 doses. Currently, no govt assistance exists for such cases. Earlier, in April, approximately 25 parents demonstrated outside Mantralaya seeking financial support for their children's treatment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Health minister Prakash Abitkar acknowledged the presence of 80-90 such cases across Maharashtra. Recently, deputy CM Eknath Shinde provided Rs 10 lakh to Sagar Pujari for Ovi's treatment after learning about her condition during his Ichalkaranji visit. "She was on ventilator in the last two days. The disease progressed to stage four. There is a zero survival rate in such patients. The condition develops if the virus gets to the brain and starts eating it slowly. The symptoms start with convulsions, then the brain activity declines, leading to an inability to eat and walk. Ovi passed away on Sunday evening," said the doctor treating Ovi at a private hospital.
