Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infects Israeli Child, Prompting Health Warnings

A nine-year-old boy from Pardes Hanna is in critical condition, on a ventilator and sedated in the intensive care unit at Rambam Hospital, after contracting a rare and deadly amoeba. The infection, identified as Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba," was confirmed after the child developed acute encephalitis. Epidemiological investigations revealed the boy had swum in the Kinneret Sea's Kursi beach about a week before symptoms appeared.

Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism found in warm freshwater environments. While extremely rare globally, with fewer than 500 documented cases worldwide, it carries an exceptionally high mortality rate. The infection is not transmitted from person to person, and drinking contaminated water is not a risk. Transmission occurs exclusively when contaminated water enters the nasal passages, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain and cause severe damage.

This is the third case of Naegleria fowleri infection diagnosed in Israel, with all previous cases also linked to swimming in the Kinneret Sea. The current outbreak follows closely on recent incidents: in July 2024, a young Israeli died from the parasite, and another ten-year-old boy was hospitalized in serious condition with the same amoeba after swimming in the Kinneret.

In response to the recurring cases, the Ministry of Health has issued an urgent warning to the public. Swimmers are strongly advised to prevent water from entering their noses while in warm freshwater bodies. Recommendations include using nose plugs, manually pinching the nose shut, and avoiding diving, submersion, or jumping into the water. Additionally, bathers are cautioned against stirring up or digging in shallow water, as these actions can increase amoeba concentration and the risk of infection.