Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infects Israeli Child After Swimming in Sea of Galilee

A nine-year-old boy has been hospitalized in serious condition with a rare and aggressive brain infection after swimming in the Sea of Galilee. Doctors at Rambam Medical Center placed the child in an induced coma and on a ventilator. Laboratory tests confirmed the infection was caused by a rare amoeba, identified as Naegleria fowleri.

An epidemiological investigation revealed the boy had been swimming at the Kinneret's Kursi beach about a week before his hospitalization. This type of amoeba is found primarily in warm freshwater sources and infection occurs when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain. The disease is not contracted by drinking water and is not contagious between people.

Naegleria fowleri infections are extremely rare globally, with fewer than 500 cases reported worldwide. In Israel, there have been three previous cases in recent years. The infection has a high mortality rate and progresses rapidly, causing severe central nervous system inflammation.

To minimize the risk of infection, the Ministry of Health advises avoiding getting water up the nose while swimming in warm freshwater, especially when jumping, diving, or submerging the head. Using nose plugs or pinching the nose shut is recommended. Stirring up the sediment in shallow water, where the amoeba may be more concentrated, should also be avoided.

Individuals experiencing fever, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting after exposure to warm freshwater should seek medical attention. Urgent medical care is required if symptoms progress to include stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or altered consciousness, and it is crucial to inform medical staff about the water exposure.