The Ministry of Health announced today (Sunday) that a nine-year-old boy is hospitalized in serious condition, being sedated and ventilated in the intensive care unit at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, following encephalitis.
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A test sent to the Ministry of Health laboratories and deciphered last night confirmed the main suspicion, according to which the diagnosis was infection with a rare amoeba.
The findings of the initial epidemiological investigation conducted on the subject indicate that the child was swimming at Kursi Beach on Lake Kinneret about six days before being evacuated and hospitalized.
The Ministry of Health notes that this is a very rare disease with a high mortality rate.
Less than 500 cases of infection have been recorded worldwide so far, with two cases diagnosed in the United States last year - and three cases recorded in Israel in recent years.
The amoeba in question is a microscopic creature found mainly in warm, freshwater bodies, and in extremely rare cases it penetrates the central nervous system and causes a severe infection.
The route of infection occurs only when water containing the amoeba enters through the nasal cavity, from where it is able to migrate to the brain.
The infection is not caused by drinking water and is not transmitted from person to person.
The Ministry of Health noted that symptoms that require urgent medical attention after exposure to fresh, hot water include the appearance of a high fever, severe headaches, nausea or vomiting. If neck stiffness, confusion, unusual drowsiness or a change in consciousness later develop, you should urgently seek treatment and mention the water exposure to the staff.
The Ministry of Health also noted that to reduce the risk when bathing in fresh, warm water, it is recommended to avoid getting water in the nose as much as possible, especially when jumping, diving, or putting your head in the water. You can close your nose or use a nose plug. It is also recommended to avoid digging or stirring the bottom in shallow water, where the amoeba may be found in higher concentrations.
""The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the case and will update the public as necessary," the statement said.
