Child Hospitalized in Serious Condition with Brain Infection Suspected from Lake Kinneret

A nine-year-old boy is hospitalized in serious condition, sedated and on a respirator in intensive care at Rambam Hospital, suffering from a brain infection. A sample sent to the Ministry of Health labs confirmed the suspicion that the child contracted the rare amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

An initial epidemiological investigation revealed the boy swam at the Kinneret's Kursi beach about a week before his hospitalization. The Ministry of Health noted that this is a rare disease, with fewer than 500 cases reported worldwide, including two in the US last year. Israel has seen three cases in recent years. The amoeba is microscopic and typically found in warm freshwater sources.

Naegleria fowleri can cause severe central nervous system infections when water containing the amoeba enters the nose. Infection cannot occur from drinking water or through person-to-person contact. The disease, while rare, has a high mortality rate and can progress rapidly.

To reduce risk when bathing in warm freshwater, the Ministry of Health advises avoiding getting water in the nose, especially when jumping or diving. Using nose plugs or holding the nose shut is recommended. Stirring up the bottom in shallow water, where the amoeba may be more concentrated, should also be avoided.

Urgent medical attention is required after exposure to warm freshwater if symptoms like fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, or unusual drowsiness develop. Promptly informing medical staff about water exposure is crucial.