Measles Outbreak Causes Concern For Meron Celebration: ‘Recipe For Transmission’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Ahead of next week’s pilgrimage and mass celebration in Meron, public health experts are warning of the risk of a measles outbreak at the event, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands, many of whom are arriving from areas currently experiencing outbreaks of the disease.

In just over two weeks since April 20, 24 cases of measles have been reported in Israel. The outbreaks are concentrated in three charedi communities: Jerusalem (8 cases), Modi’in Illit (7 cases), and Bnei Brak (6 cases), with additional cases reported in Tel Aviv and a town in Emek Hefer.

The Ministry of Health has defined the cases in Bnei Brak and Modi’in Illit as local outbreaks. While the ministry notes that any mass gathering carries a risk of transmission, it has not made specific reference to the Meron event. However, it is working to increase vaccination rates among children and adults in charedi communities by sending mobile vaccination units to neighborhoods and settlements where infections have occurred, and by calling on unvaccinated adults or those unsure of their vaccination status to get vaccinated.

Currently, 89% of Israeli infants have received their first dose of the measles vaccine, but in charedi towns, the rate is lower—about 80%. These “pockets” of unvaccinated populations are key sources of transmission. Another preventive measure is advising infected individuals and their contacts not to attend large gatherings—such as the Meron celebration. Health officials emphasize that these actions have been ongoing since the first cases were identified, not solely due to the upcoming Meron event.

“An event like the Hilula(celebration) in Meron can lead to a measles outbreak and a wider spread among the population in Israel,” said a former public health expert and senior official in the Ministry of Health. “High density and suboptimal vaccination coverage is a recipe for transmission and outbreaks.”

He warned that “It could be a repeat of the 2018 outbreak, which escalated into a nationwide crisis.”

That outbreak, which spanned 2018–2019, saw 4,300 infections, three deaths, and 52 hospitalizations due to complications such as pneumonia and meningitis.

“This is exactly the kind of scenario where measles can ignite, especially in partially vaccinated populations. What has the Ministry of Health done between outbreaks? What lessons were learned? I would expect the Epidemic Response Team to convene. The concern is real. Maybe it’s time to consider recommending mask-wearing. A professional discussion is definitely warranted.”

According to Ministry of Health data, three of the measles cases so far were contracted abroad (in Serbia, Belgium, and Vietnam). Thirteen people were infected by returning travelers or their close contacts. The remaining local cases have no clear link to international travel. Among the infected:

18 were unvaccinated, 4 were partially vaccinated (one dose) and only 2 were fully vaccinated. The patients included: 3 infants, 17 children/teens, and 4 adults.

The 24 cases are linked to 12 separate transmission events, six of them in Modi’in Illit, prompting advanced investigation to identify any common source of infection. This includes contact tracing and efforts to track the origin of the spread.

Health intelligence units note that the rise in measles cases is likely linked to the global increase in infections in recent months—including in several Western countries. Measles is considered one of the most contagious diseases known to humans. Unvaccinated individuals exposed to a measles patient have over a 90% chance of becoming infected. The disease can cause severe complications, including in the respiratory and nervous systems. One in three patients may experience complications, and 1 in 1,000 may die.