Doctors warn of 'frightening' measles complication that can strike a decade after initial infection

As Alberta's measles case counts soar, doctors and scientists are warning parents about the long-term and lesser-known complications of measles.

And they can be deadly.

As of midday Wednesday Alberta had reported a total of 749 cases since the outbreaks began in March.

What many parents may not realize is that a rare and debilitating neurological condition, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) can develop long after a child recovers from measles.

"It just frightens the heck out of me," said Dr. Sam Wong, an Edmonton-based pediatrician and president of the section of pediatrics with the Alberta Medical Association.

"Thankfully it doesn't happen very often but, when it does, it's devastating."

Most people can clear the measles virus once their infection is over.

But in so