The third child dies from a rare disease within a week in Uzbekistan

On May 18, a 6-year-old girl named Akmuradova Ezozakhon passed away due to acute sub sclerotic panencephalitis (SSPE) in the Surkhandarya region. Her parents reported this to QALAMPIR.UZ. This marks the third SSPE-related death this week.

Reports indicate that the girl was born healthy in August 2018 in Termiz, Surkhandarya region. In January 2024, she was diagnosed with acute sub sclerotic panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare condition that affects 1 in 10,000 children and arises from measles complications.

Parents of numerous SSPE-affected children told QALAMPIR.UZ that the government does not support the treatment of these children. Those in severe condition are often kept at home without medical care or supervision. The National Children's Medical Center of the Republic admits these children for only 10 days every three months based on a warrant. The Ministry of Health has not been providing the necessary medications for these children.

SSPE is a brain disease caused by complications from measles or rubella, characterized by continuous snoring, muscle spasms, or relaxation. Vaccination against measles is the only preventive measure. In Uzbekistan, children are vaccinated against measles starting at the age of 1, but many contract the disease before vaccination. Consequently, the incidence of SSPE has risen in recent years.

Previously, we reported that the number of children with SSPE in Uzbekistan had reached 100, an unusual and alarming phenomenon.