Brief message from Department of State
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) :

Israel Measles Outbreak Ahead of Passover

"Israel is currently experiencing a significant measles outbreak. Reported measles cases have increased from 30 in the 2017-2018 season to nearly 4,000 cases, so far, in the 2018-2019 season. The outbreak puts travelers to the country at risk, especially in the lead up to the Passover holiday period. With an expected influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors in mid to late April, the ongoing outbreak raises concerns for travelers – particularly those who are unvaccinated."

[ This is an extraordinary number, particularly in view of the fact that as of April 11, 2019, the CDC reports only 555 individual cases of measles across 20 U.S. states. ]

Guidance:

As Americans travel to Israel for Easter and the Jewish holiday of Passover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises all travelers to ensure they are protected from measles before departing.

CDC recommends that:

-- Travelers who plan to go to Israel check their immunization status and visit their doctor if they are not immune to measles or are unsure of immunity status.

-- Un-vaccinated travelers should get vaccinated as early as possible before leaving for Israel.

-- Travelers returning from Israel should see a healthcare provider if they develop signs or symptoms of measles. Travelers who develop fever and other symptoms of measles while still in Israel should get prompt medical attention before returning to the United States. Contact U.S. consular services at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Jerusalem for assistance in locating healthcare providers.

-- Travelers with fever and other symptoms of measles should limit their contact with others as much as possible, to prevent the potential spread of the disease.

-- Clinicians seeing a patient with fever and other symptoms of measles should ask about vaccination history and any recent international travel.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread by contact with an infected person, through coughing and sneezing. Measles virus can also remain active and contagious for up to two hours on infected surfaces. Symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people with measles can also get an ear infection, diarrhea, serious lung infection, or, even more rarely, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).

The disease can be especially severe in people who are malnourished or have a weak immune system. In the United States, most people born before 1957-or those who have had a documented case of measles, laboratory evidence of immunity, or received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or measles vaccine-are considered immune.

Vaccination even shortly before or after exposure may prevent disease or lessen the symptoms in people who are infected with measles. Immune globulin given up to six days after exposure may prevent disease among people at high risk for complications of measles (such as pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and children).