The Israeli Health Ministry announced on Thursday that five unvaccinated children were in intensive care after contracting measles, as part of a growing global resurgence of the disease. Three of the children remain in critical care units, according to the statement.
In response, Israeli health authorities have launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting both children and adults in areas with low immunization rates.
A total of 48 measles cases have been reported in Israel during the current outbreak, according to the ministry. More than 75% of those infected were not fully vaccinated. Of the 48 patients, 40 are minors—none of whom received the full two-dose vaccine.
In 2018, an unvaccinated 18-month-old child in Jerusalem died of measles, marking Israel’s first fatality from the disease in 15 years. The following year, a 43-year-old Israeli flight attendant, who had received only one dose of the vaccine, died after contracting the virus during a flight.