Health experts urge vaccination after two children die from meningococcemia

Health experts are urging vaccination following the deaths of two young children from suspected meningococcemia, a dangerous and aggressive infection.

A 3-year-old boy died at Dana Children's Hospital after arriving in septic shock with suspected meningococcemia. Despite resuscitation efforts, medical teams could not save him. In a separate incident, a 2-year-old from Beersheba is suspected to have died from the same illness at Soroka Hospital.

Meningococcus, medically known as Neisseria meningitidis, can cause severe invasive diseases, including meningitis and meningococcemia. The latter is a serious bloodstream infection where the bacterium rapidly multiplies, triggering a severe inflammatory response, dangerously low blood pressure, and organ damage. A characteristic rash may also appear. The disease can progress extremely quickly, necessitating urgent treatment upon suspicion.

While fever in children often stems from mild viral illnesses, meningococcus poses a swift and deadly threat. Pediatricians emphasize the availability of a vaccine against the meningococcal B strain, which can significantly reduce the risk of severe disease. The bacterium spreads via respiratory and throat secretions, primarily through close, prolonged contact, and can affect anyone, though infants, toddlers, adolescents, and young adults in crowded conditions are at higher risk. Other at-risk groups include those with weakened immune systems or specific medical conditions.