Sea of Galilee Beaches Remain Open Despite Rare Amoeba Cases
All beaches on the Sea of Galilee remain open for swimming, despite recent cases of a rare and dangerous amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. The Kinneret Authority has stated there is no directive to close the beaches and is preparing for thousands of visitors during the upcoming Jewish High Holidays.
However, the Ministry of Health is advising caution following the fourth reported case in Israel since 2022. The ministry recommends avoiding diving and jumping into the water, and suggests using nose plugs to prevent water from entering the nasal passages, as this is the primary route of infection. The amoeba, which thrives in warm freshwater, can cause a severe and rapidly fatal brain infection, though infection is extremely rare.
Officials emphasize that while beaches are open, swimmers should follow health ministry guidelines. The Kinneret Authority noted that the lake's water is flowing, not stagnant, and that water quality tests are conducted regularly. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health cautions that a single water sample cannot guarantee a natural body of water is entirely safe, as the amoeba's concentration can vary.
Yossi Vainberger, Mayor of Tiberias and Chairman of the Kinneret Authority, stated, "The Kinneret beaches are open to the general public, there is no directive to close beaches." He added, "We ask the public to follow the Ministry of Health's instructions." The ministry also recommends clear signage at beaches detailing the risks and precautions.
Since 2022, four cases of infection have been diagnosed in Israel. Two cases in July 2024 were linked to exposure at the Aqua Kef water park near the Sea of Galilee. The most recent case involved a child who swam at Kinneret's Korsi beach a week prior to hospitalization. Globally, fewer than 500 cases have been reported in scientific literature. The Ministry of Health stresses that no medical examination is needed after swimming unless symptoms like fever, severe headache, nausea, or confusion appear.
