Vacationers Abandon Lake of Galilee Fearing Brain-Eating Amoeba
Vacationers are abandoning the Sea of Galilee due to fears of the rare brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri after a suspected infection case.
Jerusalem, 29 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Sea of Galilee beaches, normally packed during Sukkot, are unusually quiet this year, with some stretches nearly empty, Israeli media reported, after concern spread over a reported case linked to a rare freshwater amoeba.
Naegleria fowleri, sometimes called a “brain-eating amoeba,” can cause primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but often fatal brain infection. It’s typically found in warm freshwater and enters the body through the nose; it does not spread through drinking water.
The reported case has prompted warnings to swimmers, with some vacationers canceling or shortening trips to the popular northern resort area. Authorities have urged the public to follow Health Ministry guidance on swimming and recreational water activities while the suspected infection is investigated.