Health Ministry says it has tracked 618 measles cases since outbreak began 3 months ago

The Health Ministry reports that 618 cases of measles have been diagnosed since the measles outbreak began in Israel about three months ago, including 236 active cases, with most hospitalized patients being unvaccinated children. Two unvaccinated infants with no underlying conditions have died from measles in the past week.

There are 21 patients now hospitalized, most of them children under the age of 6, along with one adult. Two patients are in intensive care, and one is connected to a life-support system.

The ministry also says that a measles patient traveled on public transportation on the Bnei Brak–Beit Shemesh bus line (line 681) during the contagious period of the disease.

On August 15, they took a bus from Bnei Brak to Beit Shemesh between 15:00–16:30, and on the following two days, they took the bus from Beit Shemesh to Bnei Brak between 23:30–00:45.

People who were near the measles patient at the above times and locations are advised to ensure that they are vaccinated according to the Ministry’s recommendations.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, malaise, a runny nose, and a rash. Infection can lead to dangerous complications such as blindness, pneumonia, brain swelling and death.

Vaccination status can be checked through the government personal portal using the digital vaccination record.

For assistance in checking the need for vaccination, people can contact the Kol HaBriut health hotline (5400*).