Los Angeles Reports Fatal Case of a Rare Measles Complication Years After Infection

A child in Los Angeles passed from a rare measles complication, years following recovery from their initial infection. The event, reported by the County of Los Angeles Public Health, highlights the severity of measles and the critical importance of vaccination.

Infant with measles spot on back | Image Credit: © airdone - stock.adobe.com

“This case is a painful reminder of how dangerous measles can be, especially for our most vulnerable community members,” Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer, said in the release. “Infants too young to be vaccinated rely on all of us to help protect them through community immunity. Vaccination is not just about protecting yourself—it's about protecting your family, your neighbors, and especially children who are too young to be vaccinated.”¹

According to the official statement, the child was originally infected with measles before they were eligible to receive the vaccine. The CDC recommends that children receive the first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine between the ages of 12 and 15 months, followed by a second dose between 4 and 6 years prior to school entry. Although the child’s measles infection, resolved they developed a rare, fatal complication associated with measles: subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).^1,2

SSPE is reported in about 1 in 10,000 individuals with measles virus and the risk rises to approximately 1 in 600 for those who get measles as infants. It is a progressive brain disorder characterized by a gradual and worsening loss of neurological function. SSPE is a late complication of measles, typically occurring between 2 and 10 years following full recovery from measles. There is no cure for SSPE and patients only survive for 2 to 3 years after diagnosis.¹

The event comes amid an ongoing measles outbreak and declining vaccination rates as the validity of medical science is questioned. As of September 10, 2025, there are over 1400 measles cases in the United States, marking the worst outbreak since eradicating measles in 2000. The number of cases even surpasses an outbreak in 2019 that took place in New York Orthodox Jewish communities, where vaccination rates are lower.^3,4

This marks the critical nature of the MMR vaccine and widespread vaccination to ensure herd immunity. Measles is highly contagious and poses significant threats to long term health outcomes for children. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles—despite this, vaccination hesitancy persists.²

Pharmacists remain a trusted source for vaccine education and access, helping families understand the critical importance of the MMR vaccine and ensuring community pro ection against preventable diseases like measles. This case underscores the urgent need for widespread vaccination to protect vulnerable populations who cannot yet be vaccinated.

REFERENCES

1. Public health reminds residents about the importance of measles vaccination following the death of a dhild from a measles-related complication. County of Los Angeles Public Health. September 11, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=5135

2. Measles vaccine recommendations. CDC. September 20, 2024. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/vaccine-considerations/index.html

3. Gerlach A. Measles outbreak update, Florida Surgeon General announces plan to remove vaccine mandates in schools. Pharmacy Times. September 10, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/measles-outbreak-update-florida-surgeon-general-announces-plan-to-remove-vaccine-mandates-in-schools

4. Bendix A. Los Angeles child dies from rare measles complication years after recovery. NBC News. September 11, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/los-angeles-child-dies-rare-measles-complication-years-after-recovery-rcna230675