Boy, 9, Critically Ill From Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection

A 9-year-old boy is hospitalized in serious condition with amoebic encephalitis, a rare and fatal brain inflammation caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, the Ministry of Health announced Sunday. A sample sent for testing confirmed the suspicion of infection, and the child is currently sedated and on a respirator in intensive care at Rambam Health Care Campus.

Initial epidemiological investigation suggests the boy contracted the amoeba while swimming at Koresi Beach on the Sea of Galilee about a week before his hospitalization. Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba found primarily in warm, fresh water sources. Infection typically 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 transmitted person-to-person. Globally, fewer than 500 cases have been reported.

This is the fourth reported case of the amoeba in Israel. A 36-year-old man died from the infection in August 2022. In July 2024, a 26-year-old man died, and a 10-year-old boy was hospitalized in serious condition after swimming at the Aqua Kef water park at the Sea of Galilee.

The Ministry of Health recommends avoiding getting water up the nose while swimming in warm, fresh water, especially when jumping or diving. Using nose plugs or pinching the nose can help prevent infection. Stirring up 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, fresh water should seek medical attention. If symptoms progress to include stiff neck, confusion, or unusual drowsiness, immediate emergency room care is advised, and medical staff should be informed of the water exposure.