7-year-old partially vaccinated boy dies from measles

The Health Ministry reports that a seven-year-old boy from Jerusalem has died from measles.

The boy had a preexisting illness and received the first of two recommended measles vaccination doses, the ministry says. It is unclear which hospital he died in.

The ministry recommends that all children receive one vaccine dose up to the age of one, and then another dose at the age of six. In places with an outbreak, it is recommended to give an additional vaccine to children from age six to 11.

This is the ninth death from measles since the start of an outbreak in May. All were healthy, with no preexisting illnesses who had not been vaccinated against the disease.

There are currently 16 patients hospitalized with the disease; eight are in intensive care.

The areas currently defined as having an outbreak are Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Safed, Netivot, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, and the settlement of Tekoa.

The ministry says it is important to seek medical treatment upon the first appearance of symptoms or suspicion of contracting the disease.