Measles Outbreak in Israel: Doctor Contracts Virus, Death Toll Rises to Eight
A doctor at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv has contracted measles after treating an unvaccinated patient, as Israel continues to grapple with a significant outbreak of the disease.
Israel’s Health Ministry reported the incident today, October 31, 2025, adding that there are concerns two other medical staff members may also be infected. An epidemiological investigation is underway at both the ministry and the hospital. “The Health Ministry and Ichilov Hospital are conducting a thorough epidemiological investigation, and the matter is being investigated and followed,” the ministry stated, reiterating its call for public vaccination. This latest development underscores the risk measles poses to healthcare workers and the importance of preventative measures.
The outbreak has already claimed the life of an unvaccinated two-year-old girl who died yesterday at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, bringing the total death toll to eight, all under the age of two and a half. The toddler had been hospitalized for ten days and required life support with an ECMO machine. More than 1,880 measles cases have been diagnosed since the outbreak began in April, and officials believe the actual number of infections is significantly higher. You can learn more about measles symptoms and prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Sharon Alroy-Preis, Israel’s chief epidemiologist, “We know that the illness is being underdiagnosed, and there are a few thousand additional patients with the disease.” So far, 562 patients have been hospitalized, with 90% being children, the majority of whom are unvaccinated. The ongoing outbreak is particularly concentrated in Jerusalem and other localities with low vaccination rates; you can find information on vaccination rates in Israel on the Ministry of Health website.
Health officials say they expect the outbreak to continue and are working to prevent further increases in cases, emphasizing the need for increased vaccination coverage.
