There was no measles death for 15 years, but an uptick in the disease in Israel has ended the life of an 18 month old baby who had not been vaccinated, although according to the vaccination schedule, the first dose of the vaccine is given annually.
The Israeli Ministry of Health has launched an action plan to stop the measles outbreak that is particularly virulently affecting this past year. The most affected are the Jewish ultra-Orthodox religious communities, since some branches of these communities they refuse to vaccinate their children, putting everyone's health at risk.
Measles outbreak alert in Israel
Measles cases do not stop increasing. This year, they registered so far 1,401 cases, more than half of them, 838, among the ultra-orthodox population of Jerusalem. A huge increase compared to last year, in which they only registered 33 cases.
The highest figures remembered so far were recorded between 2007 and 2008 with 1452 cases. This huge upturn that has ended the life of a baby has put the Israeli authorities on alert, who decided to take emergency measures to prevent the outbreak from spreading.
In Babies and more Measles cases in 2018 beat records in EuropeSome of the emergency measures taken are:
- Extend the vaccination campaign
- Keep family health centers in the most affected neighborhoods open day and night
- Mobile vaccination units in the neighborhoods of mobile vaccination units and restrict the entry of unvaccinated people in certain areas of hospitals such as the ICU, neonates or oncology.
- Coordination teams to vaccinate and refer patients.
- Number of emergencies to inform citizens and circulars in the centers informing about the importance of vaccination.
In Babies and more Measles vaccine: everything you need to knowSchools, focus of concern
Parents are very worried since schools are an important source of contagion. While ultra-Orthodox communities are the most affected, the rebound in the disease has put everyone on alert.
In some ultra-religious schools the vaccination rate does not reach 50 percent, and it is here that a greater number of cases have been registered. To avoid further contagion, the authorities urge that in addition to immediate vaccination, all those who have been able to have contact with a patient, both children and teachers, stay at home for 21 days before returning to class.
In 2018, the measles outbreak has broken records in Europe, and as we see it continues to spread, becoming a serious health problem. In part it is due to cases imported by tourists or visitors, but it is also the responsibility of parents who must vaccinate their children to stop the rebound of cases, and so avoid unnecessary deaths with this 18 month old baby.
In Babies and more What you should know about vaccination if you travel with your baby to European countries affected by the measles outbreak
