A major water park in northern Israel has been temporarily shut down after a deadly amoeba infection left a 10-year-old boy fighting for his life. The incident has triggered health warnings and prompted over 70 people to seek medical evaluation.

The Health Ministry announced Thursday that the 10-year-old likely contracted the deadly pathogen at Gai Beach Water Park on the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Kinneret. His condition remains life-threatening. Northern medical centers reported that "more than 70 individuals who visited Gai Beach, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, have sought medical attention at northern hospitals. All those examined were found to be healthy and without symptoms, and were subsequently discharged."

According to Ziv Medical Center, "The 10-year-old boy's condition remains critical. He is currently sedated and on ventilator support. The pediatric team at Ziv Medical Center swiftly identified the potential threat, even before laboratory confirmation was available. A decision was made to initiate broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment immediately. We are hopeful that this rapid response, including the prompt administration of treatment, will prove life-saving for the child, whose condition, as mentioned, remains critical."

According to Dr. Hilel Frankenthal, pediatric critical care physician at Ziv Medical Center, "This previously healthy child arrived at Ziv Medical Center's emergency department after experiencing four days of illness. Upon initial assessment of the child, who was brought in by his parents, suspicions were raised regarding infection with the rare amoeba. The medical team immediately began preparations to administer appropriate treatment, even before receiving definitive test results. The treatment regimen included medications not typically stocked in hospitals, which were rapidly sourced and delivered to Ziv."

The primary concern lies in the disease's high mortality rate. "Globally, only a few hundred cases have been reported and diagnosed, with very few survivors. The team's quick identification of the condition has provided crucial time, and we are all hoping this will be instrumental in saving the child's life," Dr. Hanna Farah, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist at Ziv Medical Center, said.

The Health Ministry called on anyone who visited the Gai Beach Water Park park in recent weeks and is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms – fever, headache, blurred vision, or vomiting – should seek immediate medical attention. Those not exhibiting any symptoms are not required to undergo examination, even if they visited the park.

Earlier this month, a 26-year-old Israeli man died after contracting the amoeba. From the moment of hospitalization, medical teams employed all available resources, including drug therapies and surgical interventions, in an attempt to save the patient's life. Despite these efforts, his condition continued to deteriorate, ultimately resulting in his death. The mortality rate for this amoeba infection is approaching 100%.

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Another surprising phenomenon, last noted 17 years ago, is a steady flow in the Dan spring, which has increased slightly.

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Data provided by the Water Authority's Hydrological Service indicate that over the course of August, the water level in the Sea of Galilee dropped by 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) due to reduced pumping. The current level is the highest since 1993, when the level of the lake at the start of September stood at 209.33 meters (687 feet) below sea level, or 0.73 meters (2.4 feet) below the upper Red Line, the point at which shoreline facilities start flooding.

The level of the Dead Sea also dropped by 14 cm. in August, putting the water level at the lowest point on earth at 434.86 meters (1,427 feet) below sea level.

However, vacationers seeking to cool off in creeks and rivers in northern Israel should exercise caution: samples taken from several creeks in the north have indicated unacceptably high levels of water pollution, the source of which has not yet been identified.

Swimming in the following rivers and creeks has been designated temporarily hazardous: Hasbani River; the Jordan River at Hamisha Bridge; the Jordan River at Huri Bridge; the Jordan River at Meitzad Ateret; the Devorah waterfall in the Gilabon Stream; Majrase; Yehudiya; Mashoshim; the Horeb pool in the Tzalmon creek; and the Tzalmon creek at the flour mill.

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If it reaches full capacity, the dam regulating its water flow to the Jordan River will be opened entirely. Officials don't expect this to happen before next winter unless some unusual weather event takes place.

The Sea of Galilee has benefited from an unusually rainy winter. About a month ago, the Water Authority reported that the water level was higher than it had been in 17 years, standing 49 cm (19 inches) short of the Upper Red Line.

This means that from March 23 to April 14, the lake rose by a foot.

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On Friday morning, search and rescue teams located the body of a teen who was swept away in Yarka Creek on Thursday.

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Omri Abu-Najab, 14, had reportedly tried to cross the swollen creek in an all-terrain vehicle. A 23-year-old man who was with him managed to fight his way out of the rushing water.

Video: Hof District Search and Rescue Services

Video: Search and rescue workers look for Omri Abu-Najab on Thursday

On Thursday, a man who was swept away in Tzalmon Creek and was found in critical condition was pronounced dead at Rebecca Sieff Hospital in Safed.

According to the man's relatives, he had gone out to shut the gate to the family's goat pen. When he failed to return, the family notified the police, who began searches and eventually found him by the creek.

The rain this week brought the heaviest single-day rainfall in northern Israel since records have been kept. As of Thursday evening, the Sea of Galilee had risen 8.5 cm (3.3 inches), mostly as a result of a downpour that dropped some 65 mm (2.5 inches) of rain.

The northern Golan Heights saw 150 mm (5.9 inches) of rain, which increased the water levels and flow in the Jordan River and in the creeks on the Golan Heights.

Which region got the most rain? As of Thursday evening, it was the western Galilee, which was drenched with nearly 200 mm (7.87 inches) of rain. Swells were reported in the Hilazon and Beit Ha'emek creeks.

The Sharon region, northeast of Tel Aviv, saw over 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain, which caused the Hadera and Alexander creeks to swell.

According to the Israel Meteorological Service, the current storm, which started on Dec. 25, has dropped the most rain ever seen in northern Israel in a single day.

"The heavy rain that fell in northern Israel wiped out the deficit that had existed," said meteorologist Lior Sudri of the company Meteo-Tech.

"Before the storm started, the total rainfall had been about half the average for this time of year. Now the amount of rain is close to the average, and has even surpassed it in some places," Sudari said.

Snowfall was reported on Mount Hermon, with accumulation of 7.9 inches on the lower slopes and 15.7 inches on the upper. The Mount Hermon ski facilities were shut due to the storm.

Elsewhere on Thursday, a commercial vessel that was supposed to dock at the Ashdod Port was driven off course by the storm and went aground on the beach south of the port. No injuries were reported.

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