Israeli families mass-sick after trips — main causes

Doctors report a rise in intestinal infections among Israeli families after nature trips during the Sukkot holiday. Cases of salmonellosis and shigellosis have been recorded. Medics link the outbreak to contaminated water, improper food storage, and poor hygiene in campsites.

During the Sukkot holiday in Israel, there was a sharp increase in doctor visits for intestinal infection symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Medics identified cases of salmonella and shigella infection. Dr. Bassel Abu-Jaafar, a pediatric specialist at Clalit Health Services' Southern District, reported an entire family infected with shigella during a trip to the south of the country. In another case, a family contracted salmonella after camping where chicken was stored in an insufficiently cool bag and a single cutting board was used for raw meat and vegetables. Dr. Dana Florentin from the Dan-Petah Tikva district noted an increase in diarrhea and vomiting cases since the start of the holidays. Doctors emphasize that the main cause is viral infections (norovirus, rotavirus), not just food poisoning. They recommend following food storage rules, hand hygiene, and using separate cutting boards for raw meat and ready-to-eat food.