Two People Contract Eye Infection from Parasite in Sea of Galilee Waters

Two individuals who bathed in the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) in late June and early July contracted keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea caused by the parasite Microsporidium found in the lake's water. This parasite can lead to eye infections and potentially impair vision. Four years ago, dozens of people required hospitalization due to the same parasite in the Sea of Galilee. The Israeli Ministry of Health clarified that drinking the lake water poses no risk and that swimming remains safe. However, anyone who has bathed in the lake and experiences eye redness, pain, or a sensation of a foreign body in the eye is urged to seek prompt ophthalmological evaluation and treatment. Symptoms typically appear between one and three weeks after exposure.

In addition, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environmental Protection recently alerted the public and regional councils about abnormal water contamination levels detected in several northern streams, including the Banias, Hatzbani, Tzalmon, Zaki streams, and the Meshushim pool. These sites showed fecal coliform bacteria counts exceeding the Ministry of Health's recommended limit of 400 per 100 milliliters, indicating water pollution.

Microsporidia are single-celled parasites that release spores and inhabit water sources such as the Sea of Galilee. They can infect various human systems, including digestive, urinary, muscular, and ocular systems. Eye infection usually occurs through direct contact between lake water and the eyes during bathing, causing keratitis with symptoms like redness, pain, and foreign body sensation. In some cases, the infection can leave corneal scars and affect vision, underscoring the importance of medical attention upon symptom onset.

This is not the first time such infections have been reported among bathers in the Sea of Galilee; previous outbreaks involved dozens of patients simultaneously. The Ministry of Health consistently emphasizes that these infections are unrelated to water consumption and recommends avoiding direct water contact with the eyes, for example, by wearing swimming goggles.