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

A nine-year-old boy is in critical condition in intensive care at Rambam Hospital after contracting a rare amoebic brain infection, Naegleria fowleri. The child is sedated and on a ventilator, as the Ministry of Health investigates the circumstances of the infection and monitors his condition. Initial epidemiological findings indicate the boy swam in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) at the Kursi beach about a week before his hospitalization.

The Ministry of Health emphasized the extreme rarity of the disease, noting fewer than 500 cases worldwide and only three diagnosed in Israel in recent years. Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba found in warm freshwater, which can cause a severe and rapidly developing inflammation of the central nervous system, leading to a high mortality rate. Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, allowing it to travel to the brain; it is not transmitted through drinking water or person-to-person contact.

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

Individuals exposed to warm freshwater who develop symptoms such as fever, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting should seek immediate medical attention. If symptoms progress to include a stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or altered consciousness, urgent medical care is required, and healthcare providers should be informed of the water exposure. The Ministry stated it will continue to monitor the case and update the public as needed.