Measles strikes nine members of Israel Defense Forces
The very contagious viral disease, measles, was contracted by nine members of the Israel Defense Forces, according to a Jerusalem Post report today.
Measles rash
Image/CDC
Apparently, one case (the index case) contracted the infection while in Ukraine visiting family. The eight other soldiers picked up the vaccine-preventable disease from the index case while waiting in line to see a physician.
More than 14,000 cases of measles have been reported in Europe since January 2016, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In the past year, 35 people across Europe have died from the disease, according to the World Health Organization.
The index case had two stopovers while returning to Israel; however, these locations were not disclosed.
The report notes, Israeli children are routinely immunized with the MMR vaccine which are given in two doses, at one year and a booster in the first grade. The Health Ministry has stated that the level of vaccine coverage in Israel is among the highest in the West, with 97% coverage for first and second doses MMR and chickenpox vaccine.
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Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases; approximately 9 out of 10 susceptible persons with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles. The virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces.
People with measles usually have a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or a serious lung infection such as pneumonia. Although severe cases are rare, measles can cause swelling of the brain and death.
