Child Dies From Rare Brain Infection After Swimming in Sea of Galilee
The Israeli Ministry of Health announced the death of a child who had been hospitalized at Rambam Medical Center after contracting a rare amoebic brain infection. An epidemiological investigation determined that the child had swum in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) at the Kursi beach approximately one week prior to hospitalization.
The infection was caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, a pathogen responsible for an extremely rare and aggressive form of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Globally, fewer than 500 cases have ever been reported. In Israel, only three cases have been diagnosed in recent years, making this a highly unusual occurrence.
The ministry stated that the child was admitted to Rambam after falling ill, but did not survive the infection. Health officials are monitoring the situation and have not issued any specific warnings regarding swimming in the Kinneret, as the amoeba is naturally present in warm freshwater bodies worldwide. However, the incident highlights the potential, albeit remote, risks associated with swimming in natural bodies of water.
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