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Eight new measles cases have been diagnosed in Israel over the past eight days, six of them among unvaccinated individuals. The patients are residents of Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Emek Hefer and Modi'in Illit.
According to an epidemiological investigation, four of the patients contracted the disease abroad or through contact with individuals who had recently returned from abroad. Investigations into the other cases are ongoing.
Last week, the Health Ministry issued an unusual public notice regarding the movements of a measles patient who was diagnosed alongside his daughter after returning from England.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by symptoms including fever, malaise, runny nose and rash, and can cause severe complications and be life-threatening.
Individuals exhibiting symptoms are urged to avoid public spaces such as malls and public transportation until they have been medically evaluated. Those who must visit a clinic or emergency room should coordinate their arrival and inform the medical staff upon entry.
The Health Ministry advises that anyone who has been in contact with a measles patient should undergo testing and follow vaccination guidelines. Pregnant women who have not received two doses of the vaccine, immunocompromised individuals and infants potentially exposed to the virus are encouraged to consult physicians regarding passive immunization.
The ministry stresses the importance of routine vaccinations against diseases like measles, noting that some infections can lead to serious complications and death.
Children should complete two doses of the measles vaccine starting at age one, with a one-month interval between doses. Vaccinations for children up to age six should be administered at family health centers. Older children and adults should complete vaccinations through school health services or HMOs.
Individuals born before 1957, who were likely exposed to the virus during childhood, do not need to be vaccinated.
Travelers are encouraged to verify their vaccination status before traveling, especially to countries with significant measles outbreaks.
To check vaccination status or schedule an appointment, residents can call the Health Ministry hotline at *5400 or consult pediatricians or physicians at their HMOs.
The Health Ministry has raised concerns about the risk of measles being imported from the United States and European countries experiencing outbreaks.
According to 2024 data from the ministry’s Health Intelligence Division, about 87 percent of children up to age six have received the first dose of the MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella). The two-dose vaccination rate among individuals aged six to 18 is about 91 percent. In the Jerusalem district, the first-dose vaccination rate is 79 percent and the two-dose rate is 88 percent.