Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infects Israeli Child After Swimming in Sea of Galilee

A 9-year-old boy has been hospitalized in Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, sedated and on a respirator, suffering from encephalitis caused by a rare, brain-eating amoeba. The Ministry of Health announced Sunday that initial epidemiological investigations suggest the child contracted the infection after swimming in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) at the Kursi beach one week prior to his hospitalization.

The microscopic amoeba, identified as Naegleria Fowleri, has a high mortality rate, with fewer than 500 cases reported globally. In the past year, two cases were diagnosed in the United States and three in Israel. This amoeba is typically found in warm freshwater sources and can, in rare instances, cause severe central nervous system infections.

Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, allowing it to travel to the brain. The disease cannot be contracted by drinking water and is not contagious between people. The Ministry of Health advises avoiding getting water in the nose, especially when jumping, diving, or submerging the head, suggesting nose clips or pinching the nose shut.

Further recommendations include avoiding digging or disturbing the sediment in shallow waters, where the amoeba may be more concentrated. If symptoms such as fever, severe headache, nausea, or vomiting appear after exposure to warm freshwater, especially if accompanied by a stiff neck, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or altered consciousness, immediate medical attention is required, and exposure to water should be reported. While extremely rare, the disease can progress rapidly when it occurs.