Measles Outbreak in Israel Claims Eighth Death, Leads to Urgent Health Ministry Response

A 2-year-old girl has succumbed to measles at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, the eighth child to die from the disease since the outbreak began in early April. The Israeli Health Ministry has reported 1,654 confirmed measles cases, with 533 hospitalizations, and has identified 10 cities experiencing high incidence. The ministry has recommended that residents in these cities advance the second dose of the measles vaccine from six years to 18 months and advised unvaccinated individuals to avoid large gatherings.

Key Takeaways:

• The 2-year-old girl who died of measles was a previously healthy child who had not been vaccinated.
• This is the eighth measles-related death in Israel since the outbreak began in early April, all of which were children who were not vaccinated.
• 533 out of 1,654 confirmed measles cases required hospitalization.
• A 6-and-a-half-year-old unvaccinated boy is currently hospitalized on a ventilator due to the disease.
• 10 cities in Israel are experiencing high measles incidence.
• The Israeli Health Ministry has advised residents in these cities to advance the second dose of the measles vaccine from six years to 18 months.
• Children aged 6 to 11 months in these cities, as well as visitors in this age group, are recommended to receive an additional dose of the measles vaccine.
• Unvaccinated individuals are advised to avoid large gatherings in the affected cities to reduce the risk of infection.

Statistics:

• 1,654 measles cases were confirmed in Israel by mid-October.
• 533 out of 1,654 confirmed measles cases required hospitalization.
• 8 children have died from measles in Israel since the outbreak began in early April.
• The measles outbreak in Israel led to the hospitalization of a 6-and-a-half-year-old unvaccinated boy on a ventilator due to the disease.

Sources:

• Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem
• Israel's Health Ministry