Israel Updates Health Guidelines After Naegleria Fowleri Amoeba Case

Following the confirmation of an additional case of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, Israel's Ministry of Health has updated its recommendations for the public regarding swimming in the Sea of Galilee. The ministry described the amoeba as causing a very rare but life-threatening disease, emphasizing that infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, potentially reaching the brain. The disease cannot be contracted by drinking water or through person-to-person transmission.

The amoeba thrives in warm, fresh water, with risk increasing in higher water temperatures. To minimize risk while swimming in the Sea of Galilee, the Ministry of Health advises limiting water entry into the nose by using nose plugs, avoiding diving and submerging the head, and refraining from activities that could force water into the nose. Disturbing the water bed in shallow areas is also discouraged.

Despite the low risk, the ministry stressed the importance of precautionary measures due to the disease's severity and high fatality rate. These recommendations align with global practices for preventing infection. The ministry also called for clear signage at Sea of Galilee beaches to inform swimmers about the risks and preventative actions.

Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled organism found in freshwater, can cause Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe and rapidly progressing brain inflammation. Testing water for the amoeba is not a reliable indicator of safety due to its uneven distribution. Since 2022, Israel has diagnosed four cases, with two additional cases in July 2024 linked to a water park near the Sea of Galilee. The latest case involved a child who swam at the "Kursi Beach" in the Sea of Galilee.

Globally, PAM is extremely rare, with fewer than 500 reported cases. In the United States, 167 cases were documented between 1962 and 2024. The Ministry of Health advises seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms like fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, seizures, or altered consciousness appear after exposure to freshwater, informing medical staff about the water exposure.