Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis - A fatal complication of measles

Subacute Sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), also known as Dawson's disease or measles encephalitis, is an extremely rare and fatal subacute infection caused by a persistent defective measles virus (MV). It mostly develops 7-10 years after initial MV infection and is fatal within 3 years from onset of symptoms. Measles virus infection before 2 years of age has 16 times higher risk of developing SSPE as compared to infection occurring after five years of age. SSPE is a progressive, degenerative disease of the central nervous system that occurs several years after measles infection. Saha et al reported an annual incidence of 21 per million population in India3 as compared to 2.4 per million population in the middle east. By this case report, we aim to stress on the certitude that the only definitive prevention against SSPE is timely measles vaccination.