Unvaccinated Man, 47, Dies from Severe Flu Complications in Israel

A 47-year-old man with no known prior health conditions has died from severe complications of the flu at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. The man, who had not been vaccinated against the virus, recently returned from abroad exhibiting symptoms that began as a common cold but rapidly escalated to significant breathing difficulties and severe lung damage. Despite a week of intensive treatment, including connection to an ECMO machine for external life support of his lungs, medical teams were unable to save his life. Dr. Uri Gelanta, Director of the Internal Intensive Care Unit at Soroka, explained that the decision to use ECMO was made due to the severe lung damage caused by the influenza virus, which worsened despite intensive care.

This case follows other recent instances of severe flu illness, including patients without pre-existing conditions. A 61-year-old woman in critical condition, also unvaccinated and without prior health issues, was recently hospitalized at Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba with the flu and connected to an ECMO machine. In recent weeks, an eight-year-old girl hospitalized at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem and a 17-year-old girl hospitalized at Assuta Ashdod, both unvaccinated and without prior health issues, required anesthesia and ventilation due to the flu. Their conditions have since improved.

According to the Ministry of Health, the flu season began earlier than usual this year, with dominant strains being Type A. In the week ending November 7, 196 new flu cases were reported in 14 general hospitals, an increase from 153 the previous week. During that week, seven flu patients were admitted to intensive care, including six adults and one child. Since the start of the season, 826 patients with confirmed flu have been hospitalized, comprising 634 adults, 182 children, and 10 pregnant women. The highest rate of positive flu tests was observed among individuals aged 65 and older. To date, 28 deaths have been reported among hospitalized patients with confirmed flu.