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SC Measles Outbreak: Brain Damage and Deaths Among Kids
5 Feb
Summary
- Measles is causing encephalitis, a brain swelling condition, in children.
- Encephalitis can lead to seizures, disability, irreversible neurological damage, and death.
- Ninety-five percent of measles cases are in unvaccinated individuals, highlighting vaccine importance.
South Carolina is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with a worrying complication affecting children: encephalitis, or brain swelling. This serious condition can lead to seizures, intellectual disability, and tragically, death in 10 to 15 percent of pediatric cases, according to recent reports.
Health officials note that encephalitis is not the only severe complication. Pneumonia cases have also been observed, alongside 19 hospitalizations since the outbreak began in October. The overwhelming majority, 95 percent, of the state's 876 reported cases involve unvaccinated individuals.
Doctors emphasize that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provides lifelong protection for 97 percent of those who receive two doses. Rising vaccine hesitancy is leaving communities unprotected against this highly infectious disease. Encouragingly, South Carolina has seen a substantial increase in vaccinations last month, the largest since the outbreak's start.
