Brain-Eating Amoeba Returns to Sea of Galilee, Sickening Child

A nine-year-year-old boy has been hospitalized in serious condition with a brain infection after swimming in the Sea of Galilee, Israel's Ministry of Health announced. Doctors at Rambam Medical Center have sedated and are ventilating the child, who is in intensive care. Laboratory tests confirmed the suspected infection by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, the same pathogen that caused severe illness in children who swam in the lake last summer.

This rare amoeba, typically found in warm freshwater, is becoming less uncommon in Israel. While only 500 cases were reported globally last year, Israel has now seen three cases in 2024, including the current one. Last July, two individuals, a 26-year-old who died and a 10-year-old boy, were hospitalized with the amoeba after swimming at the Aqua Kef water park at Ginosar Beach. The current case's epidemiological investigation indicates the child swam at Kursi Beach, on the opposite side of the lake, about a week before his hospitalization.

A Ministry of Health report following last year's outbreak noted that while the amoeba is rare, it thrives in natural waters at temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). Preventing infection is difficult as the amoeba is naturally present in freshwater and flourishes in warm conditions. While chlorination is recommended for water parks, it's not feasible for the entire Sea of Galilee. The amoeba enters the brain through the nose, typically during diving or jumping into water, and is fatal in about 97% of cases. The ministry advises pinching the nose or using a nose clip when jumping into the water and keeping one's head above water when bathing in natural hot springs.

While the amoeba thrives in water between 35-42 degrees Celsius (95-108 degrees Fahrenheit), making warmer periods slightly riskier, the ministry does not currently recommend avoiding swimming in the Sea of Galilee. The amoeba is not contagious person-to-person or through drinking water. Even if infected, the prognosis is generally good with prompt treatment. However, for added caution, swimmers can use well-sealed goggles, avoid swimming with contact lenses, and refrain from rubbing their eyes when wet.

Separately, two individuals contracted a similar corneal inflammation in June and July after swimming in the Sea of Galilee, attributed to the microsporidia parasite. This parasite, unlike the amoeba, does not necessarily require warm water and can cause symptoms weeks after exposure. The ministry recommends seeking medical attention for eye redness, irritation, or a foreign body sensation after swimming. Using tightly sealed goggles and avoiding eye-rubbing are advised precautions.