Urgent Update: Measles Outbreak in Jerusalem Turns Tragic
An alarming measles outbreak in Israel has claimed four young lives in the span of a week, with the broader outbreak causing six deaths since it began, health officials said on Saturday. The latest tragedy occurred in Jerusalem, where a one-year-old infant died after being rushed to Hadassah University Medical Center on Mount Scopus following emergency care at home.
The hospital confirmed the death as part of escalating cases linked to the current outbreak. Earlier in the week, doctors at Hadassah Mount Scopus reported the death of a one-and-a-half-year-old child who had contracted measles about a month earlier and was not vaccinated. During the Jewish New Year holidays, a one-year-old girl with a severe measles illness arrived at Hadassah Ein Kerem; she did not survive. Over the past weekend, another child from Jerusalem, aged one year and four months, died from measles complications. In addition, an 11‑month‑old remains in intensive care, requiring mechanical ventilation.
These deaths come amid a broader pattern: last month, two toddlers died from measles-related complications—one two years old who spent weeks on an ECMO life-support machine, and another toddler aged about 1.5 who fell severely ill after several days of illness. Both were unvaccinated. The mounting fatalities have prompted public health authorities to intensify vaccination outreach and education efforts across high-risk areas.
Geographic Hotspots and Outreach
Authorities have identified several areas as outbreak hotspots. The affected zones include Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modi’in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, and Ashdod. In these locations, authorities have established vaccination points at Tipat Halav (maternity-child health clinics), HMOs, and standalone vaccination stations. The goal is to provide easy, drop-in access to vaccines to curb transmission even without prior appointments.
Vaccination Guidelines and New Measures
The Health Ministry continues to emphasize the importance of immunization against measles, which is highly contagious and potentially serious, with complications that can affect the lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, and the central nervous system.
Key vaccination recommendations include:
– All children should be vaccinated according to the routine schedule: first dose at age one and a second dose in first grade.
– In areas experiencing outbreaks, the second dose may be given earlier, around 18 months of age, to strengthen protection.
– An additional early MMR dose is recommended for infants aged 11 to 6 months in outbreak areas or when traveling to affected zones. This early dose is intended to provide 70-85% protection against measles and is not counted toward the two-dose routine schedule.
Recently, the Health Ministry announced that infants aged 11-6 months can receive the early MMR dose at Tipat Halav clinics without an appointment if there is family or social connection to residents of outbreak areas or if travel to these areas is planned. This measure aims to boost immunity quickly in high-risk settings, while the standard two-dose series (at one year and in first grade) remains the baseline protection strategy.
What Parents and Caregivers Should Do
With transmission rapidly circulating in several communities, parents are urged to keep vaccination status up to date and to seek vaccination for eligible children, especially if they have exposure risk or are planning travel to affected areas. Practitioners advise monitoring for fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash, and seeking medical attention promptly if measles is suspected, particularly for infants and unvaccinated children who are at higher risk for serious complications.
Why Vaccination Matters
Measles is among the most contagious viral diseases and can lead to severe health outcomes. Broad vaccination coverage protects individuals and helps prevent outbreaks from spreading to vulnerable populations, including infants who are not yet old enough to be vaccinated. Public health authorities reiterate that safe, proven vaccines are available and effective in reducing complications and death from measles.
