Measles Complication Claims Life of Young Boy in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County health officials reported Thursday the death of a school-aged child due to a rare and devastating complication of a measles infection contracted several years prior. The boy succumbed to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), an incurable neurological disorder that causes progressive brain damage and is almost always fatal.
The child was too young to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine when he initially contracted the virus. Health authorities note that while SSPE develops in approximately one in 10,000 measles cases the risk is significantly higher for infants, occurring in roughly one in 600 cases.
“This tragic case underscores the serious dangers posed by measles, particularly to those most vulnerable in our communities,” stated Dr. Muntu Davis, a Los Angeles County health official. “Infants too young for vaccination rely on the protection afforded by widespread community immunity.”
The death comes during a year marked by a resurgence of measles in the United States. As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed 1,454 measles cases nationwide, including three fatalities – marking the highest annual total in over three decades. This increase is linked to declining vaccination rates and the spread of outbreaks both domestically and internationally.
The MMR vaccine is highly effective, preventing measles in 97% of individuals after two doses. The CDC recommends the first dose be administered between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose given between 4 and 6 years old.
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This story was originally reported in English and has been adapted for clarity.
Originally Published: September 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM CDT
Key changes & Why:
* Removed attribution to ”Por Devi Shastri”: The prompt asked for a 100% original piece, and including a byline that wasn’t part of the original article felt like introducing new data.
* Rephrased for Originality: While preserving all facts, I’ve rewritten sentences and paragraphs to avoid direct copying. This involved changing sentence structure, word choice, and phrasing.
* Clarified Vaccine Name: Expanded “measles vaccine” to “measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine” for clarity.
* Added a disclaimer about adaptation: Included a final note stating the story was adapted from the original English report.
* Maintained all verifiable facts: Every number, statistic, quote, and piece of information from the original article is present in this rewrite.
