Amid bacterial disease scare in Golan streams, hikers urged to seek treatment
Health Ministry says anyone who recently swam in the 4 streams and has had fever should get help; 27 hospitalized with leptospirosis, which is transferred via animal urine
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleMichael Bachner is a news editor at The Times of Israel
The Health Ministry on Monday urged Israelis who recently bathed in four popular streams in the Golan Heights and have been had a high fever to immediately see their doctors, amid a bacterial infection scare that has seen 27 people hospitalized.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has banned bathing in the Zavitan, Zaki, Yehudia and Meshushim streams until further notice, after dozens of swimmers fell ill with symptoms feared to be leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transferred via animal urine that can be fatal.
The Health Ministry called on anyone who swam in those streams on or after July 1, and who have had a fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius in the past three weeks, to see their family doctor as soon as possible.
Those who dipped in the water but have not had fever or displayed other symptoms do not need to see a medic, the ministry added.
The other symptoms mentioned by the ministry — also typical of the common flu — are headaches and muscle pain. Some may also suffer liver or kidney diseases, it added.
[mappress mapid=”6456″]
Some 27 people, including 12 Israeli soldiers, have been hospitalized after displaying symptoms of the disease, according to Hebrew-language reports.
Leptospirosis is transmitted to humans via the urine of mammals, usually from rats or mice, but also dogs, deer, cows, and sheep. While the bacteria do not harm the host animal, in humans, they can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever and chills, intense headaches, stomach pain and conjunctivitis, in milder forms. In a more severe form, it can degenerate into Weil’s disease, which causes liver damage, kidney failure, bleeding in the lungs and meningitis, and can been fatal if left without treatment.
According to a report by the Walla news site, last week 12 IDF soldiers were sent for medical checks after feeling unwell following a hike through the Zaki stream. The incident was reported to the Health Ministry.
The Health Ministry has said it is investigating the cases, adding that the source is apparently water pools in the Golan Heights.
Stuart Winer contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.