Boy, 9, Dies After Contracting Brain-Eating Amoeba in Sea of Galilee
A nine-year-old boy from Pardes Hanna, Baruch Neria, has died at Rambam Medical Center after contracting a rare and deadly "brain-eating amoeba" infection. The boy was hospitalized approximately three weeks ago after swimming at the Kursi beach on the Sea of Galilee. Epidemiological investigation indicates he swam in the lake about six days before falling ill.
The Ministry of Health stated that the disease is extremely rare with a high mortality rate. Globally, fewer than 500 cases have been documented. In the past year, two cases were diagnosed in the United States, and Israel has recorded three cases in recent years.
The amoeba is a microscopic organism typically found in warm freshwater. In extremely rare instances, it can invade the central nervous system, causing severe infection. Transmission occurs when water containing the amoeba enters the nose, allowing it to travel to the brain. The Ministry of Health emphasized that infection cannot occur from drinking the water and the disease is not contagious between people.
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