Israeli Health Ministry Warns of Eye Infection Risk from Parasite in Sea of Galilee

The Israeli Ministry of Health has issued a warning about a parasite found in the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) that can cause corneal infections and potentially impair vision. Two cases were recently diagnosed involving individuals who swam in the lake in late June and early July. The parasite, Microsporidium, can lead to eye inflammation and damage, but the ministry clarified that drinking the lake water or swimming in it remains safe.

People who have swum in the Sea of Galilee and experience symptoms such as eye redness, pain, or a sensation of a foreign body in the eye are urged to seek prompt ophthalmological evaluation and treatment. Symptoms may appear between one to three weeks after exposure. The ministry emphasized vigilance but did not recommend avoiding recreational use of the lake.

This advisory follows the identification of two confirmed cases of corneal infection linked to the parasite, highlighting the need for awareness among swimmers and healthcare providers in the region.