Measles
Measles is a contagious disease caused by a virus that can lead to serious problems in the lungs and nervous system. The risk of complications is especially high for children under 5 and people with weakened immune systems. About one in 1,000 people with measles may die from it. Measles is also one of the most contagious diseases; unvaccinated people have a 90% chance of getting infected if they come into contact with someone who has it.
NOTE
If you or your child have been in contact with a patient with measles – please call the hotline at *5400 or the health bureau in your area as soon as possible.
Possible symptoms
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High fever -
Weakness -
Coughnig -
Runny nose -
Red eyes -
Sore throat -
Full-body rash
Possible complications
On average, one in 20 children with measles will develop pneumonia, one in 1,000 will develop encephalitis, and one to three in 1,000 may die.
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Short term
Complications of the disease include middle ear infection, diarrhea, and conjunctivitis. Rarer complications include pneumonia and encephalitis that can cause neurological damage.
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Long term
A rare but fatal complication that occurs years after the onset of measles is subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE), which causes severe and irreversible damage to the central nervous system, mental deterioration, and seizures. The risk of this complication is higher in children who had measles before the age of two.
At-risk groups
The risk of complications is higher in children under 5 years of age, in adults over 20 years of age, in patients with suppressed immune systems (immunocompromised) and in pregnant women – for both the mother and the fetus.
Transmission
Measles is contagious from 4 days before the rash appears until 4 days after it appears.
The measles virus is transmitted from person to person in the following ways:
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Coughing and sneezing
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Contact with a contaminated surface -
Staying with people who have measles
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made through a physician's examination, who will examine the signs of the disease and find out if you have been in contact with a patient with measles. They can also refer you for a laboratory test to diagnose measles.
Duration
Symptoms of the disease will usually appear between 8 to 12 days after exposure to the virus (but it can also range from 7 to 21 days after exposure).
On the 4th or 5th day after the onset of symptoms, a dark red rash appears on the skin, and sometimes white spots on the inside of the cheeks. The rash usually begins on the face and neck and spreads down towards the body and limbs. Initially, the skin lesions are spotty and multiple and tend to coalesce into a rash that covers large areas of the body. The rash begins to turn pale on the 3rd day after its appearance and is usually accompanied by an improvement in the patients' feeling.
Treatment
There is no treatment for measles, except for supportive care:
- Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if you have a high fever or diarrhea.
- Lowering fever and relieving sore throat and muscle pain – in consultation with the treating physician.
Isolation
To prevent further transmission of measles and to avoid endangering lives, it is important to follow these rules:
- Stay home from the onset of the illness until at least 4 days have passed since the rash appeared.
- Avoid contact with people who have not been vaccinated against measles.
- It is especially important to avoid contact and staying in the same room with at-risk populations, including family members who are in the same house.
- Do not go to work or educational frameworks. Those who have had measles will not be able to return to educational frameworks without medical approval.
When to seek medical treatment
In any case of worsening of the patient's condition, consult the treating physician or another medical professional. For example, in cases of continuous and prolonged crying during an illness, severe ear pain, shortness of breath, unusual restlessness, or any other phenomenon that causes you concern.
If you arrive at a clinic or medical center – you must inform them in advance that you are coming with a patient with measles. It is important not to arrive by public transportation but only by private vehicle.
Vaccine for measles
The best way to prevent measles is by getting vaccinated on time. The measles vaccine is given as part of the MMRV vaccine (which also protects against mumps, rubella, and chickenpox) or the MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella).
The MMRV vaccine is given in two doses: the first dose at 12 months of age and the second dose in first grade as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule.
Learn more about the measles vaccine for infants and children
Rise in Measles Cases in Israel
To protect the population and prevent the spread of measles, 95% of the population must be vaccinated. A drop in vaccination rates can lead to outbreaks, as seen in several countries. There is currently an increase in measles cases in Israel, mainly due to lower vaccination rates and infected individuals arriving from abroad. If you or your children haven’t been vaccinated against measles yet, it’s very important to get the vaccine.
Who Should Get the Measles Vaccine and Where to Get It
If You Were in Contact with Someone Who Has Measles
Please call our hotline at *5400 or contact your local health bureau as soon as possible. Based on your age and vaccination history, it will be decided whether you need a measles vaccine. If you’ve never been vaccinated and were exposed to someone with measles, getting vaccinated shortly after exposure can help prevent the disease or make it less severe.
If You Were Not in Contact with Someone Who Has Measles
| Age | Number of previous doses | Is vaccination needed? | Where to get vaccinated |
| 0 to 11 months (inclusive) | 0 | No vaccination needed. | - |
| 12 months to kindergarten age (inclusive) | 0 | Vaccination is recommended as soon as possible. | Family Care Center(Tipat Halav) |
| 1 year to kindergarten age (inclusive) | 1 | No vaccination needed. | - |
| School-aged children (up to age 17 inclusive) | 0, 1, or unknown | Vaccination is recommended as soon as possible. | Up to 9th grade – vaccination is provided by a healthcare provider through the school health service. For details: Hotline at *5400. Grades 10–12 – vaccination is provided by the health bureau free of charge. |
| School-aged children (up to age 17 inclusive) | 2 | No vaccination needed. | - |
| Born in 1957 or later, over age 18 | 0, 1, or unknown | Vaccination is recommended as soon as possible, especially before international travel. |
At HMOs or at designated measles vaccination stations – free of charge. Travel clinics – for a fee. |
| Born in 1957 or later, over age 18 | 2 | No vaccination needed. | - |
| Born before 1957 | - | No vaccination needed. | - |
| Women of childbearing age | 0, 1, or unknown | Vaccination is recommended as soon as possible. |
At HMOs, at Family Care Center (Tipat Halav), at health bureaus , and at designated measles vaccination stations – free of charge. Travel clinics – for a fee. |
| Women of childbearing age | 2 | No vaccination needed. |
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| Pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems | 0, 1, 2, or unknown | Live vaccine is not allowed. |
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Due to the recent increase in measles cases in Israel, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the HMOs and other service providers, has opened vaccination stations where you can catch up on the measles vaccine.
View list of measles vaccination centers (in Hebrew)
Vaccination before traveling abroad
If you're planning to travel abroad and you or your children have not been vaccinated against measles (check the table above), it's recommended to get vaccinated before your trip:
- If one dose is needed: Get vaccinated at least two weeks before your flight.
- If two doses are needed: Start the vaccination process at least six weeks before your flight.
Note: Even if there are fewer than two weeks before your flight, it is still worthwhile to get vaccinated to provide at least partial protection.
