Health Ministry Admits No Solution for Brain-Eating Amoeba in Sea of Galilee

Israel's Ministry of Health has acknowledged that it lacks the means to mitigate the risk posed by the brain-eating amoeba found in the Sea of Galilee, placing the responsibility for managing the danger on the public. Professor Sigal Sadetzki, head of Public Health Services, stated during a press briefing Tuesday that the ministry cannot accurately assess the amoeba's risk level, its distribution areas, or its concentration in the water. The primary challenge is the inability to perform environmental treatments or pest control in an open lake.

"We want to reflect the situation to the public and provide the information so that the public can assess the risk and make its decisions," Prof. Sadetzki explained, comparing finding the amoeba to searching for a needle in a haystack. She emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with the individual.

The Ministry of Health noted that the risk is expected to decrease significantly as the weather cools. Experts estimate the phenomenon will diminish once the water temperature drops below 24 degrees Celsius (75.2 degrees Fahrenheit), anticipated from the second half of November onwards. Until then, swimmers must decide whether to enter the water and how to protect themselves.

Prof. Sadetzki described the situation as a "very, very rare event," despite the large number of people swimming in the Sea of Galilee. She expressed concern over the fourth reported case of infection, which has led to severe illness. She advised individuals to consider the risk and, if entering the water, to try to prevent water from entering the nose.

In light of the risks, the Sea of Galilee Crossing, originally scheduled for September 19, has been postponed to November 14, 2026, when water temperatures are expected to meet health ministry guidelines. The amoeba, a microscopic organism found in warm freshwater, can cause severe central nervous system infections when water containing it enters the nose and travels to the brain. Infection does not occur from drinking water and is not contagious between people.

Recommendations to reduce infection risk include avoiding getting water in the nose, especially when jumping or diving, by holding the nose or using earplugs. It is also advised to avoid digging or disturbing mud in shallow waters where the amoeba concentration might be higher. Anyone experiencing symptoms like fever, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting after swimming in warm freshwater should seek immediate medical attention, particularly if symptoms include stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or altered consciousness, as the disease can progress rapidly.