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.”
