developing· Health· Updated 12:00

Infant Hospitalized in Jerusalem With Severe Bacterial Meningitis

An unvaccinated six-month-old infant was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis on Wednesday at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. The infant arrived at the pediatric emergency room suffering from a high fever and general malaise.

9 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 08:47

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Infant Hospitalized in Jerusalem With Severe Bacterial Meningitis — Illustration by baba

What happened

01An unvaccinated six-month-old infant was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
02The infant contracted the illness from the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacterium, which is preventable by routine vaccination.
03The child arrived at the pediatric emergency room suffering from a high fever and general malaise.
04The infant was treated with immediate antibiotics in the pediatric intensive care unit and his condition has stabilized.
05The infant is fully conscious and is expected to be transferred to the pediatric ward for further treatment.
06Dr. Amir Zilka warned that bacterial meningitis can cause life-threatening complications and long-term neurological damage.

Medical staff diagnosed the child with bacterial meningitis caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) bacterium. The Hib bacterium is included in Israel's routine childhood vaccination schedule, but the infant had not received routine immunizations.

The infant was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, where he received immediate antibiotic treatment and close medical monitoring. His condition has since stabilized, and he is fully conscious. He is expected to be moved to the pediatric ward to complete his hospitalization.

Dr. Amir Zilka, a senior physician in the pediatric intensive care unit, warned that Hib can cause meningitis, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia. He emphasized that bacterial meningitis is a potentially life-threatening illness that can lead to long-term neurological damage, but is preventable through safe and effective routine vaccination.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 7 newsrooms. Updated 11:51