Nine-Year-Old Hospitalized in Serious Condition After Swimming in Sea of Galilee
A nine-year-old boy is in serious condition after contracting a rare and deadly brain-eating amoeba, known as Naegleria fowleri, following a swim in the Sea of Galilee. The Ministry of Health confirmed the case and issued a warning to the public about the dangers of swimming in freshwater bodies during the summer months.
The amoeba is typically found in warm freshwater environments and can enter the brain through the nose, causing primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe and often fatal infection. Symptoms can include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, progressing rapidly to confusion, seizures, and coma.
Health officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in warm freshwater lakes and rivers, and if swimming is unavoidable, to use nose clips or keep their heads above water to prevent nasal entry of the amoeba. They are also urging anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms after swimming in freshwater to seek immediate medical attention.
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