[Encephalitic complications of measles in 1987]

Surveillance data on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis from participating virology laboratories are reported to the French National Health Laboratory from 1980 to 1987. Among 157 individuals having S.S.P.E., at least 52 cases are related to natural measles infection which occurred since 1970, the year of measles vaccine licensure. In 1987, 39 neurological complications in the acute phase of measles were confirmed by laboratories, all of them in non-immunized persons. 34 would be preventable by vaccine according to current recommendations. Though below the current number of cases, these numbers show the importance of the failure to control measles. It is essential that a program with combined measles/mumps/rubella vaccine be rapidly initiated and completely achieved.