Health Ministry: No Way to Reduce Brain-Eating Amoeba Risk in Sea of Galilee

Israel's Ministry of Health addressed the growing concern over a brain-eating amoeba found in the Sea of Galilee, stating that there are currently no specific measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection. "The amoeba is present in the Sea of Galilee at a very low concentration, and it is not customary to conduct laboratory tests, as they would not be useful to us," explained Professor Sigal Sadetzki, head of the Public Health Division, and Dr. Moran Bleichfeld Ganazi, director of the Nutrition Department. They added that current guidelines do not include closing beaches, and monitoring of the situation will continue.

The officials noted that the ecological conditions in the Sea of Galilee are relevant to the issue, and efforts should focus on preserving the lake. They estimate that the risk posed by the amoeba will decrease around November when temperatures drop. "We expect to reach water temperatures of 24 degrees Celsius and below in November," they stated, attributing the amoeba's proliferation to high temperatures.

When asked about additional actions, they reiterated that finding the amoeba in the water is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. Professors Sadetzki and Bleichfeld Ganazi acknowledged that the fact that a fourth person has fallen ill is worrying and cannot be changed. They advised individuals to use their own judgment regarding the risks and, if deciding to enter the water, to try to avoid water entering the nose, considering the current temperature.