Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis after Measles Outbreaks, the Philippines, 2007-2022.

Authors

Maela P Palisoc, Maridel S Ramones, Roland Dominic G Jamora

Published in

Emerging infectious diseases. Volume 32. Issue 11. Oct 13, 2026. Epub Oct 13, 2026.

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a delayed, almost uniformly fatal complication of measles. The Philippines had measles outbreaks in 2010-2011, 2013, and 2018-2019; the last was the largest in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region. Published SSPE data from the Philippines end in 2015. We reviewed all 20 children admitted with SSPE to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Quezon City during 2007-2022 and estimated year of measles infection. Median patient age was 6.2 years at hospital admission and 0.7 years at reported measles illness. Five (25.0%) of 20 admissions occurred in 2022, and estimated infection dates placed 4 patients within the 2018-2019 outbreak; all were admitted during 2020-2022. Given the multiyear latency of SSPE, additional cases might emerge over coming years. Reported measles history could not be established in one quarter of patients. Strengthened measles surveillance and sustained 2-dose vaccination coverage are needed.

PMID:
42895447
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Oct 2026.

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