JERUSALEM: The Israeli Health Ministry said that an 18-month-old boy has died of measles, raising the death toll from an outbreak that began in early April to 10. Most of the victims were previously healthy, unvaccinated infants.
Tzafon Medical Centre near Tiberias said the child, who was not vaccinated, arrived at its emergency room in critical condition early Sunday and died despite resuscitation efforts.
According to data from the ministry, more than 2, 000 measles cases have been confirmed in the current outbreak. Eleven patients are hospitalised, including two under intensive care.
The ministry urged parents to vaccinate their children and to seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear or exposure is suspected. It has designated 12 cities and several other localities as outbreak zones and called for additional vaccinations for babies in those areas, Xinhua news agency reported.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, fatigue, a runny nose, and a rash, and can sometimes lead to severe complications or death.