Measles Alert: 4 Toddlers in Tel Aviv Contract the Virus – Health Authorities on High Alert
Four toddlers in Tel Aviv have contracted measles, according to a statement from the Health Ministry released on Friday. This development has raised concerns about the potential for a broader outbreak of the highly contagious disease. All four of the affected children are approximately 2 years old and are enrolled in the same daycare center. Additionally, there is a fifth child with a suspected case of measles.
Measles
Four toddlers in Tel Aviv have been diagnosed with measles, as reported by the Health Ministry on Friday. This development has sparked concerns about the potential for a more extensive outbreak of the highly contagious disease. These affected children, all around 2 years old, attend the same daycare center. Furthermore, there is a fifth child with a suspected case of this illness.
Fortunately, all of the toddlers are currently in good condition. Four of them were hospitalized, with two having already been discharged.
The Health Ministry is actively conducting an epidemiological investigation into this outbreak, considering it a highly unusual occurrence.
Initial findings from the investigation revealed that one of the affected children had traveled on a RyanAir flight from Budapest to Israel on September 27, and subsequently took a return flight to Israel on El Al on October 3.
In response, the Health Ministry is taking action to contact passengers and crew who were on these flights. They will provide updates and information on the necessary procedures related to the measles outbreak.
It’s worth noting that all of the infected children had received one vaccination dose against the disease, which is standard for their age group. A second dose is typically administered during the first grade, as per the guidelines of the Health Ministry.
Four toddlers in Tel Aviv have been diagnosed with measles, according to the Health Ministry, sparking concerns of a potential broader outbreak. These children, aged around 2 years old, all attend the same daycare center, and there is a fifth child with a suspected case of the highly contagious disease.
All of the affected toddlers are currently in good condition, with four of them having been hospitalized and two already released. The Health Ministry is actively conducting an epidemiological investigation into this outbreak, which it considers “a very unusual event.”
Initial findings from the investigation indicate that one of the children had traveled on a RyanAir flight from Budapest to Israel on September 27 and took a return flight to Israel on El Al on October 3. Consequently, the Health Ministry is in the process of reaching out to passengers and crew who were on these flights to provide updates and guidance regarding procedures related to the measles outbreak.
It’s important to note that all of the infected children had received one vaccination dose against the disease, in line with standard procedures for their age group. A second dose is typically administered during the first grade, as per the Health Ministry’s guidelines.
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that manifests with symptoms like fever and rash and can lead to severe, even life-threatening complications. In response to this situation, the Israeli Pediatric Association has urged parents to verify their children’s vaccination status and promptly administer the vaccine if necessary, emphasizing that this is a crucial step that can save lives.
It’s worth noting that in 2018 and 2019, Israel experienced a significant measles outbreak that affected over 4,000 people, with most cases involving unvaccinated individuals. The Health Ministry highlighted the importance of full vaccination, stating that it was 97% effective in preventing the disease, which can have long-lasting effects and be fatal for one in every 1,000 infected children.
