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The Health Ministry has confirmed that a nine-year-old child is hospitalised in critical condition with meningitis at Rambam Medical Centre. The child is sedated and receiving mechanical ventilation in intensive care.
An initial epidemiological investigation established that the child swam at Kursi Beach on the Kinneret approximately one week before hospitalisation.
Laboratory testing by the Health Ministry confirmed late yesterday that the child contracted infection from Naegleria fowleri, a rare and dangerous amoeba found in warm freshwater environments.
Naegleria fowleri can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a severe brain infection with high mortality rates. Authorities are investigating the water conditions at the beach and may issue public health warnings.
Source: Walla
