Another unvaccinated infant, one year old, has died of measles, the Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.
The baby's death marks the 15th measles-related death since the start of the ongoing outbreak in Israel. Out of the previous 13 deaths, the majority were otherwise healthy babies with no underlying conditions who had not been vaccinated.
The Health Ministry reminded the public that measles is a preventable disease, and that the vaccine for it is safe and effective.
Generally, it is recommended that children receive two doses of the measles vaccine at ages one and six. In light of the outbreak, the Health Ministry has updated its recommendations for those living in at-risk areas, stating that the second dose should be administered at a year and a half, and that an additional dose should be given to babies who live in or are traveling to at-risk areas between six and eleven months of age.
Unvaccinated adults and parents of children who received a single vaccine at age six to eleven months are also instructed by the Health Ministry to avoid public gatherings in at-risk areas due to the threat of infection.
Serious complications may occur in measles cases
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness spread through airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes, infecting more than 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed. Symptoms usually appear about two weeks after infection and include high fever, runny nose, dry cough, red eyes, and a characteristic rash that begins on the face and spreads.
Most patients recover within days, but serious complications can occur, especially in infants, pregnant women, and people with weakened immunity. Potential complications include pneumonia, encephalitis, and, rarely, the degenerative brain disorder SSPE that can emerge years after recovery.
Dr. Itay Gal contributed to this report.