Measles outbreak in South Carolina: Officials warn of brain damage in children

Of the 876 confirmed cases in the upstate outbreak, at least 19 patients have been admitted with serious complications.

“Some of these complications include measles encephalitis, or pediatric encephalitis, and pneumonia,” state epidemiologist Linda Bell said at a news conference on February 4.

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Bell stressed that complications are particularly serious Young patients.

“Any time you get inflammation of the brain… there can be long-term consequences, things like delayed growth and effects on the nervous system that can be irreversible,” the expert warned.

Some of the more serious complications associated with measles include measles encephalitis, or encephalitis, in children, as well as pneumonia. (Istock)

While the state does not systematically track every medical complication, pneumonia is the leading cause of measles-related death among young children, affecting approximately one in 20 infected minors, according to CDC data.

A total of 147 students have been isolated in 10 K-12 schools, Bell said.

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Outbreak It also poses a risk to pregnant mothers. Because the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine cannot be given during pregnancy, many recently exposed women have required emergency treatment with immunoglobulin to provide “passive immunity.”

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This is crucial, Bell noted, “to protect them from the high risk of complications.” During pregnancy And to protect their newborn babies.”

Experts say the measles virus is so contagious that it is able to remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room.

Pneumonia is the leading cause of death from measles among young children, affecting approximately 1 in 20 infected minors. (Istock)

South Carolina saw a historic surge in vaccinations in January. In particular, Spartanburg County saw a 162% increase in population MMR vaccines Compared to the previous year.

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“I hope that what we can attribute to (the vaccine increase) is a broader recognition of the threat of this disease spreading through our communities and a desire to protect people from complications,” Bell said at the press conference.

A new case in the Pee Dee region suggests the virus may be spreading beyond initial clusters upstate through “unrecognized community transmission.” (Paul Biersbach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

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Health officials continue to urge the public to seek vaccinations, especially since the new case in the Pee Dee region suggests the virus may be spreading beyond the initial clusters upstate through “unrecognized community transmission.”

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as far as Encephalitis and pneumonia Bell added that these concerns “are complications that we hope to prevent.”

“Increasing vaccination coverage protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as young children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.”