Boy, 9, Hospitalized in Serious Condition with Brain-Eating Amoeba

A nine-year-old boy, Baruch Neria, is in serious condition at Rambam Medical Center after contracting a rare and deadly amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, which causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an infection of the brain. The family is asking for public prayers for his recovery. Baruch is sedated and on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

An initial epidemiological investigation by the Ministry of Health suggests Baruch may have contracted the amoeba while swimming at Koresi Beach on the Sea of Galilee about a week before his hospitalization. However, the exact source of infection has not yet been definitively determined. The Ministry of Health is continuing its investigation and monitoring the boy's condition.

This is the fourth case of Naegleria fowleri infection diagnosed in Israel in recent years. Of the previous three cases, two resulted in death and one led to severe hospitalization. The amoeba is found primarily in warm freshwater and typically infects people when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain. Infection is not caused by drinking water and is not transmitted from person to person. The CDC reports that over 97% of PAM infections are fatal, though the infection itself is extremely rare.

The Ministry of Health advises avoiding getting water up the nose while swimming in warm freshwater, 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.

Symptoms to watch for after exposure to warm freshwater include fever, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting. If symptoms progress to include a stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or a change in consciousness, immediate medical attention is required, and healthcare providers should be informed about potential water exposure.