An 18-month-old from Tiberias died at the Poriya Hospital on Monday after contracting measles, becoming the tenth fatality in Israel’s ongoing outbreak.
The baby arrived at the emergency department at Tzafon Medical Center (Poriya) early Sunday morning with respiratory symptoms related to measles.
As the day progressed, his condition deteriorated, and he was put on a ventilator and underwent resuscitation, but he could not be saved.
Why is measles so dangerous
Director of the Pediatrics Department at the Tzafon Medical Center, Dr. Abuzid Said, noted that "measles is an extremely dangerous and contagious disease, with severe immediate and late complications and even death.”
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that causes fever, a cough, a runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads downwards.
While many people recover in a couple of weeks, it can lead to serious complications, including respiratory infections, ear infections, blindness, and brain inflammation. The risks are higher in children, especially children under five who haven’t been vaccinated.
It is one of the most contagious viruses on the planet, more contagious than influenza, Ebola, COVID-19, or chickenpox.
Vaccines prevent the spread of measles
Measles vaccines are highly effective. A single dose provides up to 93% protection, and two doses give more than 97% long-term protection.
Approximately 98% of Israeli children are vaccinated against measles; however, in certain communities, vaccination rates are as low as 72%. To stop the spread of measles, a community needs a vaccination rate of 95%, creating herd immunity that protects people who can’t be vaccinated.
“The disease can be prevented through a vaccine routinely given at the age of one, but due to the current outbreak, it is recommended to vaccinate even earlier, in accordance with the Health Ministry guidelines,” said Dr. Said.