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South Carolina health officials warn of “irreversible” neurological damage in children as measles-related hospitalizations rise in the state.
Of the 876 confirmed cases in the outbreak in the north of the state, at least 19 patients have been admitted with serious complications.
“Some of these complications include measles encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, in children, and pneumonia,” state epidemiologist Linda Bell said in a Feb. 4 briefing.
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Bell emphasized that the complication is particularly dangerous for young patients.
“Whenever inflammation of the brain occurs… there can be long-term consequences, such as developmental delays and impacts on the neurological system that can be irreversible,” the expert warned.
Some of the more serious complications related to measles include measles encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain in children, as well as pneumonia. (iStock)
While the state does not systematically track all medical complications, pneumonia is the leading cause of measles-related death among young children, affecting about one in 20 infected children, according to CDC data.
A total of 147 students are currently quarantined at 10 K-12 schools, Bell said.
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The outbreak also poses a risk to pregnant women. Because the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine cannot be administered during pregnancy, several recently exposed women needed emergency treatment with immune globulin to provide “passive immunity.”
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Bell said this is critical to “protect them against the high risk of complications during pregnancy and protect their newborn babies.”
The measles virus is notoriously contagious and capable of remaining airborne for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room, experts say.
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death from measles in young children and affects approximately one in 20 infected children. (iStock)
South Carolina saw a historic increase in vaccinations in January. In particular, Spartanburg County saw a 162% increase in MMR vaccinations compared to the previous year.
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“I hope that what we can attribute [the vaccine surge] “What you're looking for is a broader recognition of the threat of this disease circulating in our communities and the desire for people to be protected from complications,” Bell said at the briefing.
A new case in the Pee Dee region suggests the virus may be spreading beyond the initial clusters in the state's north through “unrecognized community transmission.” (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
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Health officials continue to urge the public to get vaccinated, especially as a new case in the Pee Dee region suggests the virus may be spreading beyond initial clusters upstate through “unrecognized community transmission.”
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As for fears of encephalitis and pneumonia, “these are complications we hope to prevent,” Bell added.
“Increasing vaccination coverage protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.”
