Lucknow faces rising Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis cases

Lucknow is facing a health issue with Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but serious neurological disease linked to low measles vaccination rates. Experts raised concerns on National Vaccination Day about the need for complete immunization. Prof R K Garg noted that KGMU sees 2-3 SSPE cases monthly, which is high for a rare disease. In contrast, Western countries report only two cases per 100,000 due to high vaccination coverage. SSPE has nearly 100% mortality and primarily affects children from low-income families. Symptoms of SSPE include cognitive decline, behavioral changes, seizures, and motor impairment. There is no permanent cure, but timely measles vaccination can prevent the disease. Health experts are calling for increased awareness and better vaccination programs.