Israel's Health Ministry issued updated safety recommendations on Monday for swimming in the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) following a confirmed case of infection with Naegleria fowleri, a rare brain-eating amoeba, and after conducting a professional risk assessment.
According to the ministry's statement, infection can occur only when water containing the amoeba enters through the nose. The organism cannot be transmitted by drinking water, and person-to-person transmission does not occur. The amoeba thrives primarily in warm freshwater sources, with risk levels potentially increasing as water temperatures rise.
The Health Ministry's recommendations for swimming in the Kinneret include:
- Minimizing water entry into the nose as much as possible
- Using appropriate nose clips when feasible
- Avoiding diving, jumping into the water, and submerging the head underwater
- Refraining from activities that force water into the nose under pressure; and
- Avoiding digging or stirring up sediment in shallow areas.
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled amoeba that lives naturally in freshwater sources. In rare instances, it can cause severe and rapidly progressing inflammation of the brain and its membranes. Health officials emphasize that while the disease is extremely rare, it is serious and life-threatening, with a very high mortality rate.
Infection occurs when water containing the amoeba enters through the nasal passages, from where it can travel to the brain. Again, the ministry stressed that drinking contaminated water does not cause infection, and the disease cannot spread between people. The amoeba is found primarily in warm freshwater environments, with risk potentially increasing alongside rising water temperatures.
