Jerusalem toddler is Israel’s 7th measles death

In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Israel, the Ministry of Health reports today that an unvaccinated one-year-old toddler died today from measles.

This is the seventh death since the outbreak began. All of the cases could have been prevented through vaccination. All of the infants who died were healthy and without underlying diseases.

Due to late arrival for treatment and complications of the disease, another baby’s limbs were amputated.

According to a Jerusalem Post report earlier this week, about 1,700 patients have been diagnosed with measles in Israel since the recent outbreak.

According to statistical models, there are likely thousands more, with the exact number being closer to 5,000 cases.

Measles is a disease that can be prevented through an effective and safe vaccine.

It is recommended that all children be vaccinated at the age of one and six (as part of the routine vaccination program).

In places with an outbreak:

Introduction of the second dose of the vaccine to the age of one and a half years.

Recommendation for additional vaccination for infants aged 6-11 months in outbreak areas and when traveling to places with an outbreak.

Areas currently defined as outbreaks: Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modi’in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod and Safed.

The Ministry of Health recommends that those who are not vaccinated, as well as parents of infants who received one vaccine at the age of 6-11 months, avoid participating in multi-participant events in cities with an outbreak due to the risk of infection.

As of today, 19 measles patients are hospitalized, most of them children under the age of 6 who have not been vaccinated against measles. Of these, 4 children are hospitalized in intensive care.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, about 4,900 vaccines were administered throughout the country last week, with the percentage of vaccination coverage for the first dose in the cities in the zip code standing at 85%. In Jerusalem it is 82.6% and in Beit Shemesh it is 81.8%.

Measles is a highly contagious, life-threatening viral disease – with the appearance of symptoms, it is important to inform medical teams to allow treatment if complications appear.

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