The disease had seen a decline due to widespread measles vaccination.
In a significant breakthrough, scientists at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School have uncovered crucial insights into the potential long-term impact of measles on children’s brains. Their research focuses on Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but serious brain disease that can be triggered by measles, with the concern that declining vaccination rates may lead to an increase in cases.
Once considered extremely rare, SSPE affects approximately one in every 100,000 children with measles. The disease had seen a decline due to widespread measles vaccination. However, with measles cases reaching a three-year high and vaccination rates dropping, the threat of SSPE resurgence looms large.
The latest data from the NHS reveals that MMR jab uptake is at its lowest since 2010/11, with only 84.5% of children receiving both doses by age five, falling well below the World Health Organization’s recommended immunity rate of 95%. Concerns arise as up to 102,000 children in England entered reception this year without vaccination, placing them at a high risk.
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Iris Yousaf, a PhD candidate at Mayo Clinic Graduate School, expressed concern about the potential rise in SSPE cases, stating, “We suspect SSPE cases will rise again as well. This is sad because this horrible disease can be prevented by vaccination.”
The research emphasizes that the MMR vaccine remains the only safeguard against SSPE. The study delves into the alterations in the measles virus within the brain, providing valuable data on how viral RNA mutates and spreads, particularly in cases of SSPE.
Dr Roberto Cattaneo, an author of the study, highlighted the importance of these findings in understanding how viruses persist and adapt in the human brain, potentially paving the way for the development of effective antiviral drugs. While the concern over declining vaccination rates persists, the scientific community’s dedication to unraveling the mysteries of these diseases offers hope for preventive measures and future treatments.
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