Publications by authors named "Michal Savion"
Between late 2023 and early 2024, two measles outbreaks occurred in Israel, each caused by importation of measles virus strains of respective B3 and D8 genotypes. In this study, we validate transmission pathways uncovered by epidemiological investigations using a rapid molecular approach, based on complete measles virus genomes. The presented findings support this rapid molecular approach in complementing conventional contact tracing and highlight its potential for informing public health interventions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn October 2023, the Tel Aviv District was notified of ten cases of measles. The outbreak initiated in a preschool with high vaccination coverage with one dose of MMR vaccine. Serological testing was available for eight patients (six children and two adults).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: From May-September 2022, 203 cases of monkeypox (MPX) were reported in the Tel Aviv (TA) District, Israel. We aim to report the first ongoing local transmission of MPX in Israel.
Methods: We analyzed the epidemiologic and clinical features of all cases of MPX notified to the TA District.
Article Synopsis
- Universal vaccination has significantly reduced hepatitis A (HAV) cases in Israel, but sporadic outbreaks still happen, highlighting the need for improved surveillance.
- A comprehensive HAV surveillance program was implemented in 2017-2018, analyzing 146 human cases and 240 sewage samples, revealing that most cases involved unvaccinated individuals, particularly among men, including a notable number of men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2017.
- Genetic analysis showed that different HAV genotypes were predominant each year, with findings suggesting a connection between genetic sequences of cases and sewage samples, indicating ongoing viral circulation and the potential for better tracking through combined clinical and environmental data.
During a national measles outbreak in 2018-2019, the Tel Aviv District suffered a major upsurge of cases, with 413 patients reported. Among them, 100 (24%) were <1 year, 92 (22%) patients were aged 12 months to 4 years, 47 (11%) were 5-18 years, 169 (41%) were 19-60 years, and 5 (1%) patients were older than 61 years (born before 1957). Among all cases, 230 (56%) were part of the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, 55 (13%) were among undocumented African immigrants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Management of partially-treated, community-acquired bacterial meningitis (PCBM) is commonly compromised by lack of microbiological diagnosis. We aimed to analyze the impact of FilmArray Meningitis-Encephalitis (FA-ME) PCR on the management of PCBM.
Methods: Comparison of treatment variables of PCBM cases between two periods, before (6.
Between December 2016 and June 2017, 19 Hepatitis A virus (HAV)-positive cases, 17 of which were among men who have sex with men (MSM) were identified in the Tel Aviv area. Seven of the 15 sewage samples collected between January and June 2017 were also HAV-positive. All sequences clustered with two of the three strains identified in the current European HAV outbreak.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Universal toddlers vaccination (UTV) introduced in 1999, reduced hepatitis A incidence in Israel from 50.4 to <1.0/100,000.
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