Microsporidium parasite in the Sea of ​​Galilee: two bathers were injured in their eyes

The tiny parasite that may damage vision: Two cases of damage to the cornea of ​​the eye were diagnosed during the past week in people who bathed in the waters of the Sea of ​​Galilee, the Ministry of Health informed this evening. The damage is attributed to microsporidium, a tiny parasite that can cause significant inflammation in the eye, pain, blurred vision and sometimes also damage to the cornea. The office clarifies that there is no risk in drinking the Kinneret water and that bathing in the lake is permitted, but asks the public to be alert for symptoms that may develop late.

According to the details provided, one of the patients bathed in the Sea of ​​Galilee at the end of June and the other patient at the beginning of July. In both cases, the symptoms apparently did not appear immediately after being in the water, but only after a relatively long period of time. The Ministry of Health stated that the symptoms following the exposure may develop between one and three weeks after bathing, so the bathers may not initially associate the pain or redness in the eyes with the visit to the lake.

Microsporidium is a microscopic parasite that can penetrate the outer layer of the eye and cause inflammation of the cornea. The cornea is the transparent tissue that covers the front of the eye and helps focus the light rays. Any damage to it may cause pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, redness and blurred vision. In some cases, the patient may feel as if a grain of sand, eyelash or other foreign body remains in the eye even after washing.

The Ministry of Health urges any person who has bathed in the Sea of ​​Galilee in recent weeks and suffers from eye inflammation, redness, pain or the sensation of a foreign body to contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. The examination is especially important when the symptoms do not go away, worsen or are accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity. A diagnosis at an ophthalmologist allows the cornea to be examined with appropriate equipment and to decide if further treatment or follow-up is required.

The fact that the symptoms may appear a long time after bathing sometimes makes it difficult to identify the source of the problem. Patients may think that it is a normal eye infection, an allergy, dryness or dust infiltration into the eye. But when there is a history of bathing in the Kinneret in a period of up to three weeks before the onset of symptoms, it is important to report this to the doctor during the examination.

Despite the report on the two patients, the Ministry of Health emphasizes that at this stage there is no directive to avoid bathing in the Sea of ​​Galilee. The ministry said that it is possible to bathe in the lake and that there is no danger in drinking the water. The Kinneret water used for drinking undergoes treatment and control processes, and the reported incidents concern direct contact of the lake water with the eyes while swimming or bathing.

The current announcement comes in the midst of the summer season, when tens of thousands of travelers and vacationers arrive at the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee. The exposure to the lake water occurs during swimming, diving, playing in the water or sports activities, and sometimes water enters the eyes strongly. Even after leaving the water, particles or pollutants may remain in the area of ​​the eyelids and eyelashes.

In the case of a slight and transient burn, you can wash your eyes with clean water and avoid rubbing them. However, persistent pain, significant redness, sensitivity to light, discharge, foreign body sensation, or decreased vision require a medical examination. Independent use of eye drops, and especially drops containing prescription drugs, may obscure the clinical picture and delay the appropriate diagnosis. The public is asked to follow the announcements of the Ministry of Health and to get tested in case of suspicious symptoms, even if a few weeks have passed since the visit to Kinneret.