The Ministry of Health is updating this week about two unvaccinated brothers from the Kiryat region who contracted measles.
Since September, 2 patients from the Haifa District and 6 from the Northern District, 10 patients from Tel Aviv, one case from the Netanya area, and another case from the Jerusalem area have also been reported.
Meanwhile, the vaccine-preventable disease is resurgent in parts of Europe.
A third of the cases were diagnosed in Kazakhstan, where the outbreak is attributed mainly to children who missed routine vaccinations.
Experts fear the virus could spread.
Small outbreaks have also recently emerged in multiple parts of the United States.
Most of the cases there were linked to travel outside the country.
The UK has confirmed 250 measles cases in 2023, most of them in children under 10. With outbreaks around the world, the return of measles is a serious threat today due to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, ear infections and, in severe cases, death.
Measles, as we learn from ChatGPT, is a highly contagious viral infection.
Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, measles continues to break out from time to time among different populations, which as mentioned can have serious health consequences.
Understanding the virus, its impact and the importance of vaccination is essential in preventing its spread and protecting public health.
Babies and small children are a high-risk group.
A toddler with measles, photo: @Dave Haygarth / Flickr
Measles, also known as rubella, is caused by a virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family of viruses that includes those that cause measles, mumps and rubella.
Measles is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world, even today, despite the existence of an effective vaccine against the disease.
It is considered the most contagious viral disease, when exposed to it the risk of infection is 90% (that is, up to 90 percent of people exposed to the disease may become infected and are not protected).
The measles virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The virus can survive in the air and on surfaces for several hours, making it highly contagious.
Once a person is infected, they usually develop symptoms within 10-14 days.
Initial symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Children are a risk group
Some cases of measles can be mild, but up to half of infected children may need medical attention.
Children with measles may develop diarrhea and dehydration, pneumonia that leads to long-term breathing difficulties, and encephalitis that causes neurological problems.
For every 1,000 cases in children, one child may become deaf or mentally disabled, and one to three may die.
Measles deaths worldwide rose 43 percent between 2021 and 2022, according to a November report from the World Health Organization.
and the US Centers for Disease Control.
Vaccination effectively prevents outbreaks
Before the introduction of the vaccine, measles was a common and deadly disease.
In the United States alone, there are an estimated 3-4 million cases of measles each year, with hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospitalizations.
The situation was similar in many other parts of the world.
However, the development of the measles vaccine revolutionized the fight against this disease.
The measles vaccine, usually given as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is a safe and effective way to prevent measles.
It has been widely used since the 1960s, and its introduction led to a dramatic decrease in measles cases.
The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the measles virus without causing the disease itself.
When a vaccinated person encounters a virus, his immune system is prepared for quick and effective protection, and to prevent the infection from taking hold.
Even a single dose is 93 percent effective in preventing the disease, according to the CDC
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Why do people hesitate?
The measles vaccine was one of the most successful public health initiatives in history.
In 2000, America was declared free of measles, and many other regions have made significant progress toward eliminating the disease.
However, measles has not been completely eradicated, and in recent years there has been a resurgence of cases in some areas.
This resurgence can be attributed to several factors, including vaccine hesitancy, which is the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines.
Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue influenced by a variety of factors, including misinformation and mistrust of vaccines.
Some people have concerns about the safety of vaccines, despite extensive research and monitoring proving their safety.
A false claim in the 1990s that the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine caused autism led to a decline in vaccination rates.
Additionally, complacency can occur when people have not witnessed the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases, leading them to underestimate the importance of vaccination.
Public health campaigns later recovered much of this deficit, but rates fell again during the coronavirus pandemic, especially in low-income countries.
The numbers, as of now, may seem modest, but they are a sign that public health officials must increase awareness of the importance of vaccinations and prevent the spread.
The red line: vaccination rates should not fall below 95%
For measles to remain under control, at least 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated.
In Europe, the percentage of people who received a first course decreased from 96% in 2019 to 93% in 2022.
More than 1.8 million babies missed measles vaccines between 2020 and 2022.
The importance of the measles vaccine cannot be overstated.
First and foremost, it saves lives.
The vaccine is estimated to have prevented over 21 million deaths worldwide between 2000 and 2017.
It is especially essential in protecting vulnerable populations, such as infants too young to receive the vaccine and people with compromised immune systems.
Herd immunity, which occurs when a high percentage of the population is immune to a disease, also plays a significant role in preventing outbreaks and protecting those who cannot be vaccinated.
The measles vaccine was given in Israel starting in 1967, as part of the childhood vaccination routine.
Starting in 1994, the vaccine was given in two doses: at the age of one and in first grade, as part of the routine immunization program in Israel.
The measles vaccine is considered a safe and effective vaccine.
To combat vaccine hesitancy and prevent measles outbreaks, public health organizations and health care providers must engage in effective communication and education campaigns.
It is essential to provide accurate information about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, dispel myths and address concerns.
Building trust in the health system and promoting the benefits of vaccination can help increase vaccination rates and protect communities from measles and other preventable diseases.
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In conclusion, measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal vaccine-preventable disease.
The measles vaccine has been remarkably successful in reducing the burden of this disease and saving countless lives.
However, continued efforts are needed to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure that as many people as possible are vaccinated.
Vaccination against measles is not only a personal health choice but also a collective responsibility to protect vulnerable people and achieve herd immunity.
By understanding the importance of vaccination and addressing concerns, we can work toward the ultimate goal of eliminating measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases from our communities.
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