The Israeli Health Ministry on Tuesday warned of a limited measles outbreak after four additional cases were confirmed in recent days. In total, 18 people have been diagnosed with contagious disease in the past three months, the ministry added.
The most recent cases were diagnosed in Ashkelon’s Barzilai Medical Center, the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, a bus in the Haifa bayside suburb of Kiryat Yam and the Western Galilee city of Nahariya.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that manifests itself as fever, general malaise, runny nose and rash and may have severe and even life-threatening complications,” the ministry said.
The health ministry is carrying out an epidemiological investigation for each confirmed case. Unvaccinated individuals who believe they were near a person with measles are advised to contact the ministry’s hotline by calling *5400.
If someone develops symptoms, they should isolate and seek medical attention, the ministry noted. The statement also urged children and immunocompromised people to get fully vaccinated.
