{"id":85542,"date":"2025-07-28T10:48:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T07:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jerusalem-online.co.il\/?p=85542"},"modified":"2025-07-31T14:03:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T11:03:13","slug":"outbreak-risk-in-jerusalem-measles-and-vaccine-refusal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerusalem-online.co.il\/en\/outbreak-risk-in-jerusalem-measles-and-vaccine-refusal\/","title":{"rendered":"Outbreak Risk in Jerusalem: Measles and Vaccine Refusal"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Hadassah Ein Kerem\u2019s pediatric intensive care unit, doctors are fighting for the lives of two Jerusalem toddlers \u2014 a one-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy \u2014 who are battling severe complications from measles
Both are connected to ECMO machines, which replace heart and lung function in cases of extreme respiratory failure<\/p>\n

According to Hadassah, the girl was rushed to the hospital over the weekend in critical condition and placed in intensive care. The boy had previously been transferred from Shaare Zedek hospital after being diagnosed with a secondary pneumococcal infection that led to severe pneumonia<\/p>\n

(Jerusalem\u2019s Public Transit Is on the Verge of Collapse<\/a>)<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Ori Folk, Director of Pediatric Critical Care at Hadassah hospitals, stated
\u201cMeasles is a rapidly contagious viral disease, especially in closed spaces. It\u2019s a serious and dangerous illness that can present with fever, general discomfort, runny nose, and rash \u2014 and can lead to life-threatening complications<\/p>\n

The Hadassah medical team is urging parents to vaccinate their children according to public health guidelines<\/p>\n

\u201cSevere illness can be prevented and lives can be saved \u2014 it\u2019s in the hands of the parents. The vaccine is proven effective, and maintaining a complete vaccination routine is vital to stop dangerous spread<\/p>\n

Jerusalem at Risk: Where Vaccines Are Often Delayed<\/h3>\n

Health officials have warned that parts of Jerusalem remain particularly vulnerable to a wider measles outbreak. In several ultra-Orthodox and East Jerusalem neighborhoods, cultural and logistical factors have led to lower immunization rates.
Some parents delay or avoid childhood vaccines altogether, whether due to mistrust, lack of access, or ideological beliefs \u2014 leaving thousands of children exposed<\/p>\n

How to Recognize Measles Symptoms in Children<\/h3>\n

Parents across the city are asking: how do we know if it\u2019s measles
Here are common signs to watch for<\/p>\n