Los Angeles Child Dies From Rare Measles Complication Years After Recovery: A Stark Warning on Vaccination

By Ronald Rodriguez On Sep 12, 2025

Los Angeles, CA – A tragic case has emerged in Los Angeles, where a school-age child has died from a rare, progressive brain disorder linked to measles, years after initially recovering from the virus. This incident highlights the critical importance of measles vaccination, especially among the most vulnerable populations who cannot yet be vaccinated.

The Long-Term Consequence: Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently announced the death of the child, who contracted measles as an infant prior to becoming eligible for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Typically, the first MMR dose is administered between 12 to 15 months of age, followed by a second dose between 4 to 6 years.

Although the child initially recovered, they later developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal complication that affects the central nervous system. SSPE can manifest 2 to 10 years after the initial measles infection, primarily in individuals infected at an early age.

“This case is a painful reminder of how dangerous measles can be, especially for our most vulnerable community members,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer. “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.”

The disease progression includes seizures, loss of motor skills such as walking, followed by coma or a vegetative state. There is currently no cure or effective treatment, with most SSPE patients dying within one to three years of diagnosis.

Statistics and Public Health Implications

SSPE develops in approximately 1 in 10,000 measles cases; however, infants infected with measles face a vastly increased risk of about 1 in 600.
In the 2023-24 school year, less than 93% of U.S. kindergartners received the recommended two doses of MMR vaccine – below the 95% threshold needed to maintain herd immunity.
Since 2000, measles was considered eliminated in the U.S., but outbreaks have surged in recent years with 1,454 cases recorded in 2024, the highest since the elimination.
Significant outbreaks were seen among communities with low vaccination rates, such as Orthodox Jewish populations in New York and Mennonite communities in West Texas.
2024 witnessed the first U.S. measles deaths in a decade, including two unvaccinated children in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.

Vaccine Effectiveness and Challenges Today

The MMR vaccine, administered in two doses, is 97% effective in preventing measles and generally offers lifelong immunity. Despite this, the ongoing outbreaks emphasize the difficulty in maintaining high vaccination coverage.

Misinformation has further complicated efforts to control measles spread this year. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though advocating for vaccination, has erroneously claimed that vaccine immunity wanes quickly and emphasized unproven treatments such as steroids, antibiotics, and vitamin A supplementation.

Physicians reported that excessive vitamin A use among unvaccinated West Texas patients caused signs of liver damage, highlighting the dangers of unverified treatments.

These factors contribute to vaccine hesitancy and jeopardize progress against this preventable disease.

Looking Ahead: Protecting Communities Through Vaccination

The recent Los Angeles child’s death underscores the urgent need for adherence to recommended vaccination schedules and community-wide immunization to protect those who are too young or medically unable to receive vaccines.

Public health officials urge:

Parents ensure their children receive both MMR doses on schedule.
Communities maintain high vaccination rates to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks.
Greater efforts to combat misinformation and educate about the safety and importance of vaccines.

For more detailed information on this case and measles vaccination, see the full report by NBC News here.

What Do You Think?

What do you think about the impact of measles and vaccination in your community? Have you ensured your family is fully vaccinated against measles? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!