Epidemiology of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Romania between 1976-1982

The analysis of 415 SSPE cases detected between 1976-1982 pointed out a relatively high yearly incidence of this disease: 5-6 cases per 1 million inhabitants. Clusters of SSPE cases were observed in certain counties of Romania. The onset of SSPE occurred mostly at 6-7 years (only 6% of the cases were detected in children over 10 years of age); the mean duration of the interval between acute measles and SSPE onset was of 4-5 years. The following risk factors were made evident in the patients' past histories: male sex, acute measles experienced under the age of 1-2 years, existence of several siblings, long time intervals spent in the rural environment or in child communities, contact with domestic animals. During the first three years of its application on a national scale antimeasles vaccination had no effect on SSPE incidence.