Another Child Dies From Measles in Israel

Measles is an ongoing risk around the world, and children are at serious risk for the highly transmissible disease in most countries. Since 2023, measles incidence has been rising in many countries worldwide, including in Europe.

The Israeli Ministry of Health recently reported the 14th pediatric fatality due to measles since an outbreak began in mid-April 2025, partially from imported cases and others of unknown origin.

The Ministry's announcement on February 2, 2026, confirmed that the affected individual was a one-year-old who had not been vaccinated. The baby was brought to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem in critical condition. 

Similar to previous cases, most of the deceased were healthy infants without any underlying conditions and had also not received vaccinations.

The Ministry emphasizes that measles is a preventable disease and advises that all children should receive their first vaccine dose at the age of one. In areas affected by the outbreak in Israel, the Health Ministry recommends administering the second dose of the measles vaccine at 18 months.

Additionally, an extra vaccine dose is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months in outbreak areas and for those traveling to outbreak areas.

As of February 5, 2026, the areas in Israel that have been classified as experiencing a measles outbreak are Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Harish, Modi'in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Safed, Netivot, Haifa, Tiberias, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, and the settlement of Tekoa.

To alert international travelers to their health risk, the U.S. CDC has maintained a Level 1, Travel Health Notice, that identifies measles outbreaks in numerious countries. The CDC advises all travelers to speak with a local travel vaccine expert about measles immunization options and other vaccine-preventable diseases.