Nine-year-old boy in serious condition after rare brain-eating amoeba infection

A nine-year-old boy is fighting a serious infection after swimming at Kursi Beach in the Sea of Galilee. The Health Ministry confirmed that Naegleria fowleri, commonly called the brain-eating amoeba, caused his encephalitis.

The boy developed swelling in his brain and was later sedated and placed on a ventilator in intensive care at Rambam Medical Center. The ministry’s laboratory confirmed the cause on Saturday night after an investigation found that he had swum at the beach about a week before he was hospitalized.

Naegleria fowleri lives in fresh, warm water. It can cause a central nervous system infection when contaminated water enters through the nose and the amoeba reaches the brain. The Health Ministry stressed that people cannot contract the infection by drinking the water or from another person.

The ministry said fewer than 500 cases have been recorded worldwide. Two cases were diagnosed in the United States last year, while three have been diagnosed in Israel in recent years. Although the infection has a high mortality rate, officials described it as extremely rare.

To reduce the risk while swimming, people should avoid getting water into their noses, especially when jumping, diving, or submerging their heads. The ministry recommends closing the nose or using a nose plug, and advises against stirring sediment in shallow water. Anyone who develops fever, pain, severe headaches, nausea, or vomiting, particularly with neck stiffness, confusion, unusual drowsiness, or altered consciousness, should seek immediate medical care and mention recent water exposure.