Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis after Measles Outbreaks, the Philippines, 2007–2022
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.
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BibTeX
@article{palisoc2026subacute,
title = {{Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis after Measles Outbreaks, the Philippines, 2007–2022}},
author = {Maela P. Palisoc and Maridel S. Ramones and Roland Dominic G. Jamora},
journal = {Emerging Infectious Diseases},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3201/eid3211.261395},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3211.261395},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis after Measles Outbreaks, the Philippines, 2007–2022
AU - Maela P. Palisoc
AU - Maridel S. Ramones
AU - Roland Dominic G. Jamora
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Emerging Infectious Diseases
DO - 10.3201/eid3211.261395
UR - https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3211.261395
AB - 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.
SN - 1080-6040
SN - 1080-6059
ER -