Girl dies 12 years after measles infection

A 13-year-old girl dies of measles sequelae after 12 years

10/21/2011

In North Rhine-Westphalia Bad Salzuflen, a 13-year-old girl died of measles infection. At the age of less than a year, the girl had, according to the treating physicians infected with the measles virus and suffered as a result of chronic measles encephalitis (SSPE). The subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which is called the sequelae, is a rare complication after a measles infection that causes inflammation of the brain with severe damage to the nerve tracts. To date, the exact origin of the secondary disease has not been conclusively clarified. It is assumed that mutations of the viruses play an important role.

Late succession of a measles infection
The disease usually occurs months or years after a measles infection. The average disease rate is seven years. However, the course is sluggish until then, which is why the infectious disease to the „Slow virus infections“ belongs. In the first stage, dementia-like conditions can be observed. In the second phase, muscle spasms and epileptic seizures are added. In the third stage of the disease, the brain is already severely damaged, the affected then usually fall into a coma. The disease is considered incurable and almost always fatal. The frequency of occurrence is very rare. The medical literature reports an approximate complication rate of 1 in 10,000 measles infections. However, cases have fallen sharply since the introduction of measles vaccines since 1980, as the overall rate of infection fell

The path of suffering of the small patient began already in 1999. At the age of six months, according to the information of the parents, the girl put herself in a pediatrician's office. „One boy was being treated there for measles“, said the mother to the press. In the course of the disease, the dreaded measles encephalitis developed. „One day, Natalie had a fever and a cough. Then she was well again, a normal, happy child“, reported the mother. In the third grade, the girl suddenly suffered from difficulty concentrating. The doctors in the clinic told the parents that they can no longer help the child, there are no more treatment options. So they took the child home. Later, the little girl grew weaker and finally fell into a coma. A few days ago she died of serious organ failure.

Secondary disease usually occurs in children and adolescents
The SSPE most often occurs in children and adolescents who already had measles before the age of two. "The only protection is the preventive vaccine," said Martin Terhardt of the Association of Pediatricians. The doctor is also a member of the Standing Vaccination Commission at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which in Germany give vaccination recommendations to parents and doctors. However, children can only be vaccinated against measles at the age of 12 months. To protect babies, they should be in a so-called „by-vaccinated“ Environment grow up. This means that parents and siblings should already be vaccinated.

Infection rate in Germany
The infection rate in Germany varies from year to year. Last year, the Robert Koch Institute reported a total of 780 measles cases. By September, 1564 children and adults have been infected with the viral infection in the current year 2011. A particularly high rate of morbidity is currently reported in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Measles are a highly contagious disease, emphasizes the pediatrician Günther Dettweiler. "If an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes and an unvaccinated person comes in contact with the droplets, infection is very likely“. A clear refusal granted the doctor the so-called „Measles parties“: Such meetings of parents and children are „absolutely irresponsible“. Parents judge such „parties“ so that the children can infect each other and experience the measles at an early stage. Such meetings are usually organized by vaccine opponents who criticize especially possible Impfrisiken and an imunity on „natural way“ want to produce. Because measles in adulthood often show more severe symptoms.

Kinderhilfe calls for far-reaching vaccination laws
In view of the tragic case of the late Nathalie, Deutsche Kinderhilfe demands a legal duty to vaccinate the children. Kindergartens and schools should in the opinion of the association only accept children, if they can prove a vaccination. The tragic case „disproves ideological vaccine opponents, anthroposophists and representatives of natural pediatrics, dismiss the measles as a harmless childhood disease, "said the chairman of the children's aid, Georg Ehrmann.

To date, measles vaccines are controversial due to the possible side effects. It is generally proven that fever, tiredness, headache and redness, pain and swelling may occur after vaccination. In individual cases, however, severe vaccine complications such as pronounced allergic reactions can also be shown. It is believed that it can also lead to encephalitis or a drop in platelet count. The cases observed are, however, very rare and causality is being hotly debated among researchers and physicians.

The death rate and thus the complication rate is relatively low. In Germany, two people died of measles this year. In addition to the girl succumbed to a 26-year-old in a Munich clinic to the consequences of the disease. The Federal Statistical Office reports that on average about one to two deaths occur in Germany per year. (Sb)

Also read:
Measles increasingly common in adults
Germany as a measles exporter
First death toll from measles for years
WHO: Measles Increase in Europe
Measles also affects adults
The infectious disease measles spreads
Impfkritik: How useful are vaccinations?