‘My daughter had measles as a baby – 45 years later a devastating complication of the virus killed her’
February 21, 2026 at 12:24 PM
By Rebecca Thomas1 views
Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of the measles affecting just 1 in 50,000 cases – but it can be prevented by the MMR
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Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of the measles affecting just 1 in 50,000 cases – but it can be prevented by the MM Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of the measles affecting just 1 in 50,000 cases – but it can be prevented by the MM Monitor developments in ‘My for further updates.
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Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of the measles affecting just 1 i
Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of the measles affecting just 1 in 50,000 cases – but it can be prevented by the MMR
NewsHealth‘My daughter had measles as a baby – 45 years later a devastating complication of the virus killed her’Subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a rare complication of the measles affecting just 1 in 50,000 cases – but it can be prevented by the MMRRebecca Thomas Health Editor Saturday 21 February 2026 12:24 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover‘Big measles outbreak’ affecting children under 10 confirmed in LondonYour support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreWhen Sarah Walton caught measles at nursery at just 11 months old, she was too young to get the vaccine that could have protected her from the life-threatening vrius.She recovered well and didn’t suffer any serious illness – but 25 years later she developed a rare and “devastating” brain condition, called subacute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE), caused by a mutation of the measles virus.After 16 years “battling” the condition, which eventually robbed her of her ablity to walk, talk and even swallow, Sarah died last year, at the age of just 45.Now, as the latest outbreak of the potentially fatal virus takes hold in north east, London, Sarah’s mother Jo Walton is urging parents to get their children vaccinated with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab.Ms Walton, said: “Sarah's, fondest hope, when she discovered how ill she was, was that nobody else would go through what she was going through. I am so sad to discover that there have been all these cases of SSPE since Sarah’s death… it's a pointless illness. It is an illness that doesn't need to happen. It's an illness that shouldn't be happening in the 21st century.” “Measles can be fatal in itself. Measles can cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain), it can cause lifelong disabilities. Measles can cause devastating neurological illness, like what Sarah had. It is so awful watching your child go backwards, and it doesn't matter how old that child is.“It is possible to stop your child or other children dying as a result of [measles], so I hope our experience would serve as a warning to parents. Measles is evil...and it should be vaccinated against.”open image in gallerySarah and her mother Jo Walton (Family handout)Sarah’s story comes amid national concern in the UK over decreased uptake of the measles vaccine, which has fueled an outbreak in Enfield, with more than 60 cases linked to several schools and a nursery. SSPE affects 1 per 50,000 cases of natural measles, and according to data from the UK Health Security Agency, since 2009, three children and three adults from the condition. It is caused by a mutated measles virus, and typically occurrs five to 15 years post-infection, primarily in children.Born in 1979, Jo recalls how Sara was “a bit of a whirlwind”. She said: “She had to do everything in a million miles an hour. She hit all the milestones really early. She was walking by the time she was nine months, and she was rolling across the floor.”But when she was 11 months old, and too young to have the MMR vaccine that is given to children aged over 12 months, she caught measles after attending nursery where there was a number of cases circulating. Sarah recovered fully, her mother recalled, and didn’t suffer any acute illness. For the next two decades, she lived a healthy life and “excelled at everything she did”, including music, taking part in sports and was captain of a hockey team.Later she studied at St Andrews University, in Scotland, and began a midwifery course at Kings College London. However, halfway through her midwifery course at the age of 25 years old, Sarah began to notice stroke-like symptoms, which led her to turn to her doctor for help. open image in gallerySarah died in her father Mark’s arms last year (Family handout)Jo said: “She'd lose words, she'd do a buttons up wrong, she'd put the washing machine on without any washing powder in it… one of her legs used to give way on a regular basis, so she'd fall, and she couldn't drink a cup of tea, because her hand would suddenly jerk.”In September 2004, Sarah and her pare
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