The amoeba in the Sea of Galilee: The truth about what lurks beneath the water

A Globes reporter sorts through the rumors surrounding the amoeba in the Sea of Galilee, following the death of 9-year-old Baruch Neriah. Experts explain that Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism causing a fatal brain infection with a mortality rate of over 97%, and that four cases have been diagnosed in Israel since 2022. The article examines the connection to climate change, the Health Ministry's policy, and prevention methods.

A Globes reporter sorts through the rumors surrounding the amoeba in the Sea of Galilee, following the death of 9-year-old Baruch Neriah. The article explains that Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled organism thriving in warm fresh water, causing a fatal brain infection (PAM) with a mortality rate of over 97%. Four cases have been diagnosed in Israel since 2022, three linked to a water park and one in the Sea of Galilee. Experts explain that global warming is expanding the time window for the amoeba's spread, but improved diagnostic capability may also explain the rise in cases. The Health Ministry announced it will not conduct tests in the Sea of Galilee due to limited reliability of samples. The recommendation for bathers is to use a nose clip and avoid diving in natural waters.