Child Hospitalized in Serious Condition With Brain Inflammation After Swimming in Sea of Galilee

A nearly 9-year-old boy is in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Rambam Hospital, intubated and on a ventilator, after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba infection. The Israeli Ministry of Health confirmed on September 6, 2026, that initial epidemiological investigations indicate the child was infected with Naegleria fowleri after swimming in the Sea of Galilee about a week before being hospitalized.

Tests sent to the Ministry of Health laboratories confirmed the suspicion that the child's illness was caused by the rare amoeba. The infection is believed to have occurred when water containing the amoeba entered the child's nose while swimming at the "Kursi" beach on the Sea of Galilee.

Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater sources that can cause a severe central nervous system infection. The disease is extremely rare globally, with fewer than 500 reported cases worldwide. Israel has recorded three cases in recent years, and the United States reported two cases last year. The infection does not occur from drinking water and is not transmitted from person to person.

Health officials advise avoiding getting water in the nose when swimming in warm freshwater, especially when jumping or diving. Using nose plugs or pinching the nose shut can help prevent infection. It is also recommended to avoid disturbing the bottom sediment in shallow waters where the amoeba may be more concentrated.

Symptoms to watch for after exposure to warm freshwater include fever, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting. If neck stiffness, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or a change in consciousness develops, immediate medical attention is required, and healthcare providers should be informed about the water exposure. The Ministry of Health is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.