JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Large teams of volunteers and medics were alerted  on Wednesday morning to a charedi family’s home in the Shmuel HaNavi neighborhood of Jerusalem following a report of a baby who did not wake from sleep.

Emergency personnel performed resuscitation efforts on the toddler in an attempt to save his life. He was evacuated to the hospital in critical condition.

United Hatzalah stated: “United Hatzalah medical teams are currently performing resuscitation on a one-year-old baby who lost consciousness at his home (did not wake from sleep) in the Shmuel HaNavi neighborhood of Jerusalem. At this stage, his condition is defined as critical.”

United Hatzalah medics Yechiel Stern and Ariel Drei said: “We were told that the toddler did not wake from his sleep after having contracted measles several days ago. We performed resuscitation efforts and he was then evacuated to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in critical condition while resuscitation efforts continued. United Hatzalah psychotrauma teams operated at the scene due to the nature of the incident.”

The hospital later reported that the baby had passed away, but did not verify yet that the cause was measles.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, 13 other deaths from measles have been reported, all among children. According to official data, 10 of the cases were recorded in Jerusalem, one case in Beit Shemesh, and two in Tiberias.

The main centers of the current measles outbreak are: Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Modi’in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Kiryat Gat, Netivot, the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, Beitar Illit, Tiberias, Safed, and Petah Tikva. Lod and Hatzor HaGlilit have also recently been added to the list of red (high-risk) cities.

Following the death of a one-year-old toddler, apparently from measles, Prof. Ilan Dalal, Chair of the Israel Pediatric Association and head of the Pediatrics Division at Wolfson Medical Center, said:

“Measles is not a ‘mild childhood illness,’ but the most contagious disease in the world, which can be fatal. Today’s tragic case is a painful and chilling reminder of the importance of vaccinations even in 2026. Fourteen deaths in Israel this past winter, more than in any other Western country, should concern us all.”