Measles outbreak poses risk of 'irreversible' brain damage, health officials warn

South Carolina health officials are warning of "irreversible" neurological damage in children as measles-related hospitalizations climb in the state.

Of the 876 confirmed cases in the state’s upstate outbreak, at least 19 patients have been admitted with serious complications.

"Some of these complications include measles encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, in children and pneumonia," state epidemiologist Linda Bell said in a Feb. 4 briefing.

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