32 Israelis contract leptospirosis after swimming in streams in the Golan Heights; ministry finds high levels of fecal E. coli bacteria in Zaki, Mesushim and Yehudiya streams, barring the public from entering them as well as several other bodies of water.
Rotem Elizera, Gilad Carmeli|Published: 08.16.18
The Health Ministry found high levels of fecal E. coli bacteria in several streams in the Golan Heights, it said Thursday, after 32 Israelis had contracted leptospirosis while swimming there.
Although the standard pollution levels for bathing or swimming stands at 400, samples show the pollution levels at the Zaki stream are at 4,400—11 times higher than permitted—while the Mesushim and Yehudiya streams’ levels are three times higher.
The ministry listed several streams the public is not allowed to enter: Zaki, Yehudiya, Meshushim, Zavitan, Jilabun, and Daliyot (at the Majrassa Nature Reserve), as well as the Jordan River (only in the Jordan Park area). All other bodies of water in northern Israel are safe to bathe in.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and report back to the public on a regular basis,” said Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman-Tov.
He warned against “fake news posted on social media” and urged Israelis to adhere only to official statements.
The Nature and Parks Authority, together with the Water Authority, the Mekorot Water Company, and the Mei Golan Water Association, will introduce clean water to several streams immediately after the High Holy Days to increase the flow and reduce pollutant concentrations.
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old boy suffering from meningitis was hospitalized at the Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak with on Thursday complications caused by leptospirosis after bathing in one of the polluted streams in the Golan Heights. His condition is stable and his life is in no longer at risk.
“There are currently seven children and teenagers aged 11 to 17 hospitalized in the Pediatric Department with symptoms suspected to be caused by leptospirosis after they visited the sites mentioned in the Ministry of Health’s announcement,” said department head Prof. Eli Somekh.
On Wednesday, five students aged 14-17 were hospitalized on suspicion they caught leptospirosis during a trip to the Jordan River, with concerns other students may have also been afflicted.
Prof. Michal Hovers, who runs the infectious diseases unit in Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, explained how Leptospirosis infects the streams and described its main symptoms.
“Animals infected the waters and streams, and people who either bathe there or come into contact with mice urine in outdoor habitats can catch this infection,” she said in an interview with Ynet.
“Symptoms can be mild in some cases but in others the infection can become severe and lead to kidney and liver failure,” she continued.
Prof. Hovers added that symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms and sometimes corneal infections but emphasized that not all symptoms require admission to hospital.
“Mild cases can heal without intervention, and thus not everyone who bathed in the streams and who has a fever has to rush to the hospital,” she noted.
“However, if high temperatures persist and someone doesn’t feel well, it is better to go and get a blood test in order to ensure that liver and kidney functions are in order, and take antibiotics if needed,” she explained.
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5330214,00.html
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5 teens suspected to have leptospirosis after Jordan River visit – YNET
Five 14-17 year olds hospitalized on suspicion the caught the infection after kayaking tour, after infection previously only found in Golan area; alarm in Upper Galilee Regional Council over possible drop in tourism; Mey Eden water company halts production over irregular results in water sample.
Rotem Elizera, Ahiya Raved|Published: 08.15.18
Five students aged 14-17 have been hospitalized on suspicion they caught leptospirosis during a trip to the Jordan River, with concerns other students may have also been afflicted.
The five visited a kayaking site at Jordan Park as part of youth movement educational tour two weeks ago.
Following the trip, they began showing similar symptoms to those shown by Israelis who visited streams in the Golan Heights and later diagnosed with leptospirosis. They were hospitalized at the Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak and received antibiotic treatment.
So far, 12 people have contracted the leptospirosis infection and 50 others are suspected of having caught it.
Professor Eli Somech, head of the Pediatric Division at the Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, said that “two of the boys were hospitalized on Monday evening and two more on Tuesday.
“They displayed clinical symptoms of leptospirosis and their lab tests results were suspicious and are now being treated with suitable antibiotics and fluids. The Mayanei Hayeshua ER is preparing for admitting other students in the upcoming 24 hours.”
Somech said the hospital reported the incident to the Ministry of Health, emphasizing the students visited a different region to the one other patients who contracted the infections had. The ministry published a warning to all visitors to the Golan Heights streams, but the current suspected leptospirosis patients kayaked in the Galilee Jordan river in close proximity to the Sea of Galilee.
Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center Director Prof. Mordchai Ravid said that the lab tests were sent for analyzing and final results will arrive in two days.
In the past few days, many Israelis who have visited the Golan Heights streams arrived in hospitals reporting possible leptospirosis symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. They received antibiotic treatment and some were discharged to their homes.
The reason for the infection outbreak is yet unclear. It is thought to be related to cattle herds that graze in the Golan Heights and contaminated streams with feces, as well as low volume flow due to the continuing drought.
Prof. Michal Hovers, who runs the infectious diseases unit at the Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, explained that the infection is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, who originates in animals.
“Animals infected the waters and streams, and people who either bathe there or come into contact with mice urine in outdoor habitats can catch this infection,” she said in an interview with Ynet.
“Symptoms can be mild in some cases but in others the infection can become severe and lead to kidney and liver failure,” she continued.
Prof. Hovers added that symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms and sometimes corneal infections but emphasized that not all symptoms require admission to the hospital.
The Upper Galilee Regional Council fears visitors would abandon the region. “A discussion we had today with the Health Ministry determined that bathing or kayaking in the Galilee streams in completely safe. The news published this morning that Galilee streams are going to be closed are false,” the council said in a statement.
The council added that “The Israel Nature and Parks Authority is also unaware of any guidelines from the Health Ministry about a leptospirosis scare in the Galilee streams.”
However, it appears the Health Ministry is expected to order the closing of other streams on Wednesday.
The Golan Heights stream infection also disrupted the Mey Eden mineral water company’s supply. Customers have called customer service and complained about the shortage.
The Mey Eden water company stopped production on Wednsday morning after irregularities were found in a sample taken from the Golan Heights spring that provides water to the company.
Company officials said on Tuesday that “in the last month, we had to stop the production twice for a few days at a time, after the spring water test results deviated from normal. The company resumed production only after it was certain the water was clean and safe, and after the Ministry of Health approved.”
The Ministry of Health said that “during the summer two irregularities were detected in the Mey Eden spring water. From the moment irregularities were discovered the factory immediately stopped production and marketing, until August 6 when standard result resumed. Since then repeating examinations showed no irregular results”.
The ministry further added that the irregularities found had nothing to do with leptospirosis and were not reported further.
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5329221,00.html
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Hundreds exposed to Leptospirosis in Golan Heights streams
Health Ministry says 27 have been hospitalized so far after bathing in several popular Golan Heights streams said to contain bacterial infection; Nature and Parks Authority announces some parks have been closed, while others given the all clear.
Rotem Elizera and Ahiya Raved|Published: 08.13.18
The Israeli Ministry of Health warned the public on Monday against swimming in streams in the Golan Heights after it emereged that almost 30 people caught a bacterial infection after bathing in the waters.
So far, 27 people who have visited Yehudiya, Zaki, Zavitan and Meshishim streams since July 1 have caught the infection known as Leptospirosis, with half of them still hospitalized.
Hundreds more who visited the streams are expected to be examined, the ministry said.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority announced that the streams suspected of being infected are closed to visitors until further notice due to Ministry of Health order.
Other streams in northern Israel have been given the all clear and remain open to visitors, the Nature and Parks Authority said, adding that “the public is invited to come and enjoy parks. The parks authority will remain in contact with relevant ministries, follow their orders and monitor water quality.”
As of Sunday, 8 patients had arrived at the Ziv Medical Center in Safed, another 8 at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, 4 at the Poriya Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Tiberias, and one at both Rambam Medical Center in Haifa and HaEmek Medical Center in Afula.
Another four patients arrived at the Carmel Medical Center after bathing in the Golan Heights streams.
A 19-year-old man from Kfar Hasidim and a 25-year-old woman from Ramat Yishay were hospitalized after bathing in Meshushim pool.
The man was treated and discharged while the woman was still said to have been suffering from abdominal pain—one of the symptoms of the infection—and remains under supervision.
The other two at the Carmel Medical Center also said they had bathed in one of the affected streams a week ago and had begun suffering symptoms of Leptospirosis in the last few days.
Prof. Michal Hovers, who runs the infectious diseases unit in Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, explained how Leptospirosis infects the streams and described its main symptoms.
“Animals infected the waters and streams, and people who either bathe there or come into contact with mice urine in outdoor habitats can catch this infection,” she said in an interview with Ynet.
“Symptoms can be mild in some cases but in others the infection can become severe and lead to kidney and liver failure,” she continued.
Prof. Hovers added that symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms and sometimes corneal infections but emphasized that not all symptoms require admission to hospital.
“Mild cases can heal without intervention, and thus not everyone who bathed in the streams and who has a fever has to rush to the hospital,” she noted.
“However, if high temperatures persist and someone doesn’t feel well, it is better to go and get a blood test in order to ensure that liver and kidney functions are in order, and take antibiotics if needed,” she explained.
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5328061,00.html