5 Toddlers Hospitalized After Allergy at Beitar Daycare

Emergency services were called Tuesday morning to a daycare on Kedushas Levi Street in Beitar Illit following reports that several toddlers had developed an allergic reaction, apparently after eating food at the facility.

Medics and paramedics from United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom treated around ten toddlers at the scene. The daycare was evacuated and closed by police order. Five toddlers were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in light condition.

Firefighters ruled out the presence of hazardous materials at the site, and the incident is believed to have been caused by exposure to food.

The exact cause of the allergic reaction has not yet been fully determined, and the investigation is ongoing.

The scene in Beitar Illit (Photo: United Hatzalah spokesperson)

Yossi Fried, Yitzchak Teir and Tzvi Klar, medics with United Hatzalah's Kach Hatzalah unit who arrived first on scene, said: "The daycare staff told us that the infants and toddlers felt unwell and developed mild allergy symptoms after eating canned tuna. We provided them with initial medical care, and at this stage their condition is defined as light."

United Hatzalah's resilience teams were also called to the scene to assist parents and family members following the decision to evacuate the daycare premises.

Firefighters at the daycare in Beitar Illit (Photo: Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson)

MDA reported that "MDA medics and paramedics are providing medical treatment and conducting medical checks on approximately ten toddlers around one year old, fully conscious, with mild allergy symptoms." Five toddlers were then evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in light condition.

Police said that "police forces from the Etzion station in the Judea and Samaria District, medical forces and firefighters from the Judea regional station of the Fire and Rescue Services who were called to the scene worked to clarify the circumstances of the case. After monitoring operations by the firefighters, the forces ruled out the presence of hazardous materials at the site, and after collecting testimony it appears that the suspected cause is a reaction resulting from exposure to food.

"As a result, medical staff provided medical treatment to eight people at the site and evacuated three in light condition (according to medical sources) to the hospital. At this stage, the educational institution has been closed by police order and a report has been forwarded to the Ministry of Health. A police investigation has been opened."