Measles

In a public letter, the rabbis argued that "you shall take great care of yourselves" is not just a verse from the Torah, but a halachic and moral obligation. 

Six children in total have died since the outbreak began, with the Health Ministry pushing a vaccination campaign to contain the disease.

The ministry stressed that measles is a highly contagious disease, characterized by fever, general malaise, runny nose, and rash, which may lead to severe and even life-threatening complications.

The Health Ministry updated that the child had been hospitalized in recent weeks on an ECMO heart-lung machine.

Over the past three months, 245 measles cases have been diagnosed, and there are currently 91 active cases.

According to the Health Ministry, the lowest vaccination rate is in Safed, where 33% of children aged 1 to 6 have not received the required doses. 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, transmitted through the air via tiny droplets from bodily fluids, such as during sneezing or coughing.

Senior health officials also warn of a potential mass infection at the upcoming Lag Ba'omer Mount Meron pilgrimage, as vaccination rates in certain haredi communities remain very low.

The update comes as eight cases have been confirmed this year, against the backdrop of widespread outbreaks in the United States and Europe.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, malaise, nasal discharge and a rash, and it can lead to serious complications, including hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

Most cases are among unvaccinated children in Gaines County, where vaccination rates are under 50%.