Doctors warn of ‘frightening’ measles complication that can strike a decade after initial infection – CBC

Virus can hide in brain and cause debilitating neurological condition 7 to 11 years later

Jun 04, 2025

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.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/measles-subacute-sclerosing-panencephalitis-sspe-alberta-1.7552036

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