Measles and vaccine hesitancy warning: Beware of SSPE, which carries a risk of brain damage

Operating in Samsun, Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Nurullah Dikmen drew attention to the increase in measles cases and vaccine hesitancy, warning against the risk of SSPE (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis), a rare but serious complication of the disease that leads to brain damage.

Measles, which once caused widespread deaths and permanent health problems and was largely brought under control through vaccination efforts, is back on the agenda. Dr. Nurullah Dikmen from the Infection Clinic of Medicana International Samsun Hospital drew attention to the increase in measles cases and warned that falling vaccination rates could lead to serious health problems.

Stating that vaccine hesitancy is a significant factor in the resurgence of measles, Dr. Nurullah Dikmen emphasized that measles, which can cause permanent brain damage in children, is an extremely contagious infection. Drawing attention to the condition of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which rarely develops after the infection, Dikmen reiterated the importance of completing the two doses of vaccination to protect children: at 1 year of age and upon starting primary school.