A 9-year-old boy has died after contracting the extremely rare Naegleria fowleri amoeba following a swim in the Kinneret, Israel’s Health Ministry announced Thursday.

The boy, identified as Baruch Neria of Pardes Hanna, had been hospitalized at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa with severe inflammation of the brain. He was sedated and placed on a ventilator in the pediatric intensive care unit as doctors fought to save his life.

Testing conducted by Health Ministry laboratories confirmed that Baruch had contracted Naegleria fowleri. An epidemiological investigation found that he had swum at Kursi Beach on the Kinneret approximately one week before he was hospitalized.

The amoeba is found mainly in warm freshwater and, in extremely rare cases, can cause a severe infection of the central nervous system. Infection can occur when contaminated water enters through the nose and the amoeba reaches the brain.

Health officials stressed that the infection cannot be contracted by drinking the water and does not spread from person to person. Fewer than 500 cases have been reported worldwide.

Following the case, the Health Ministry advised swimmers in the Kinneret to minimize water entering the nose, particularly while diving, jumping into the water or putting their heads underwater. Officials did not order the Kinneret beaches closed.

The Health Ministry expressed its condolences to Baruch’s family.