Israel’s Health Ministry reported the death of a two-year-old boy who contracted measles. The child, unvaccinated, had been hospitalized for several weeks and was connected to an IV.
Since the measles outbreak began in Israel about three months ago, 503 cases have been confirmed, with 187 currently active. Most recent patients are from Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, and nearly all hospitalized children are unvaccinated.
According to the ministry, 12 children under the age of six currently remain in hospital care, three in intensive care. The Health Ministry urged parents to ensure their children receive routine vaccinations, particularly the measles vaccine, to prevent further severe cases.
Transferred from hospital to hospital
The toddler, who was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at Hadassah-University Medical Center a few weeks ago, arrived in critical condition after being connected to the ECMO machine and transferred from Shaare Zedek Hospital to Hadassah. The unvaccinated patient contracted measles, which led to a secondary infection of streptococcus, causing severe pneumonia.
For weeks, he was treated in the pediatric intensive care unit while doctors fought to save his life.
Another child, a one-year-old, has been receiving treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit for the past few weeks and is still connected to the ECMO machine in very serious condition.