Seven dead, 53 infected with hemorrhagic fever across Iraq: Health ministry
Iraqi defense ministry sues Kirkuk Kurdish farmer over insult allegation
Halabja becomes Iraq's 19th province
Turkmen MP urges end to Baghdad-Erbil trade restrictions, warns of empty markets
Iraq apprehends two escaped prisoners
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Seven people have died from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Iraq and 53 others have been confirmed to be infected, a senior official from the Iraqi health ministry told Rudaw on Monday.
Riyadh al-Halfi, Director General of the Public Health Directorate at the health ministry, told Rudaw's Ziyad Ismael that 'any patient showing symptoms consistent with hemorrhagic fever, along with a history of contact with animals or raw meat, is treated as a suspected case.'
Blood samples are then collected from these individuals and sent to the specialized laboratories for confirmation, he explained.
Halfi further noted that 'treatments are available in all hospitals across Iraq,' adding that 'antiviral medications and supportive remedies are being used to help accelerate the patients' recovery from the infection.'
CCHF is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted to humans through multiple routes, including bites from infected ticks, contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals, exposure to bodily fluids of infected individuals, and consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected livestock.
Preventive measures include the use of protective gear - such as gloves, masks, and goggles - especially for those who work with animals or meat.
Veterinary hospitals have since late April been conducting large-scale tick control campaigns to reduce transmission.
The Iraqi government around that time stated that it is 'exerting full efforts' to contain the outbreak, reassuring citizens that 'with proper measures in place, transmission to citizens will remain rare.' The ministry urged caution in meat handling, especially among homemakers, recommending the use of protective gloves and separate utensils for raw meat.
The Kurdistan Region on Friday recorded the first case of CCHF in the town of Koya, southeast of Erbil, according to the Region's health ministry..
The infected person, a 42-year-old butcher, is currently receiving treatment and is in stable condition, ministry spokesperson Sarkar Surchi said.
Halfi told Rudaw on Monday, 'We are closely monitoring the situation in the Kurdistan Region,' adding that the cooperation entails 'providing treatments and diagnostic supplies, and treating the Region's provinces.'
The director general of the Public Health Directorate at the Iraqi health ministry further confirmed to Rudaw that Baghdad in late April allocated emergency funds to the ministries of agriculture and health to step up 'tick control' efforts.
'Directives to prevent unregulated slaughtering and livestock movement' were also issued, Halfi elaborated.
'We are working in full coordination with all stakeholders, including veterinary services, to break the cycle of infection,' he said, reaffirming the government's commitment to a nationwide public health response.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
21 hours ago
- Iraqi News
EU provides 1.1 million euros to alleviate water crisis in southern Iraq
Baghdad ( – In response to the worsening water crisis in the southern Iraqi province of Basra, the European Union (EU) has allocated 1.1 million euros in humanitarian aid. The emergency assistance will address essential water, sanitation, and hygiene requirements over the next six months, with a focus on the most vulnerable areas, according to a statement released by the European External Action Service (EEAS), a diplomatic service of the EU. The assistance is expected to cover around 500,000 individuals who are badly affected by low water quality and limited access. Many of those affected reside in unregulated neighborhoods on the outskirts of Basra, where the problem has been most severe. The accompanying high salinity and water scarcity have posed major dangers to health, particularly to displaced people and those already living in vulnerable situations. The EU financing will allow the Norwegian Red Cross, in collaboration with the Iraqi Red Crescent, to provide timely and effective support to the most impacted populations. The effort will prioritize measures that improve accessibility to and distribution of clean water. This covers the maintenance and renovation of water units in high-risk locations that are either not linked to the public water network or have restricted access. Additionally, efforts will be made to improve water purification systems in areas with the highest need. Clean water will also be distributed to communities by trucks, ensuring that even the most remote locations have safe water.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Rudaw Net
Banned chemicals threaten Kurdistan Region's fishery amid limited oversight
Also in Kurdistan Sulaimani industrial complex blaze burns several warehouses Four youths drown in Duhok Man claims detention at Iraqi checkpoint for possessing Kurdish books Erbil, Baghdad know who is behind drone attacks on Kurdistan Region: Interior minister A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Fish pond owners in the Kurdistan Region are using banned and dangerous chemicals amid limited oversight and public awareness, officials and fishery experts told Rudaw, urging stricter government enforcement. During an episode of Rudaw's Legel Ranj program, aired on Sunday, a fish pond owner from the Taq Taq area, southeast of Erbil, described a culture of self-medication and a lack of information in the industry. 'There is no awareness,' he said. 'I have no information on the medicine… Everyone is a doctor for themselves.' He also claimed the authorities were 'not helping me, and in most aspects they are an obstacle,' citing inconsistent electricity supply. Veterinarian Omed Idris echoed these concerns, stating, "Every pond owner thinks they are a scientist." Idris warned of the severe health risks associated with these unregulated practices. 'It is bad for you. It is bad for the fish. The people who eat the fish will face problems,' he said. He further cautioned that some farmers are using harmful chemicals such as formalin - an aqueous solution of formaldehyde typically used to treat fish diseases. According to Idris, the formalin 'compound stays in the fish' and is sometimes used excessively, contaminating natural water sources. 'It is bad for you. It is bad for the fish. The people who eat the fish will face problems,' the veterinarian stressed. 'This entire sector needs to be completely regulated,' he said. Shukri Omar, director of a major fishery in Duhok province, labeled the use of formalin 'a crime' and confirmed that it 'is officially illegal.' Similarly, Bestoon Najmadin, director of fish resources at the Kurdistan Region's agriculture ministry, told Rudaw that importing the substance is banned and that a crackdown is underway. The import of formalin 'has been made illegal' due to its harmful nature, Najmadin said, adding that orders will be issued to administrative committees across provinces to seize any amount of the compound and prosecute offenders. Another fish pond owner participating in Legel Ranj claimed formalin was still easily available. 'If you want, I will go buy it now from a doctor in Erbil,' he said, alleging that some clinics illegally sell the compound. Fish farming methods and risks On a broader level, Najmadin reported that the Kurdistan Region currently meets about 65 percent of its fish demand through over 5,000 licensed fish ponds covering more than 14,000 dunams. He suggested improving electricity access through the government's Runaki project - meaning 'light' in Kurdish - which aims to provide round-the-clock power across the region by the end of 2026. Enhanced electricity access could boost fish production, Najmadin said. However, a dispute arose over the use of tilapia. Omar stated that fishery in Duhok province is the largest in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, with carp being the dominant species. He argued that tilapia could also be a viable option due to its adaptability. Idris strongly disagreed, stating, 'Tilapia is not suitable for our environment,' adding that 'it causes problems for the habitat of other [local] fish, which are already struggling.' Of note, Iraq's federal agriculture ministry is reportedly working to curb the spread of this invasive species due to its negative impact on aquatic ecosystems, including its resilience and rapid growth, which allow it to overtake habitats, displace native species, and disrupt ecological balances. Idris also highlighted the environmental drawbacks of traditional mud ponds, advocating for plastic ponds as a more sustainable alternative. 'Instead of destroying their land,' he advised farmers to consider plastic ponds, which can produce more fish with less water and better disease control. A plastic pond costing two million Iraqi dinars (around $1,500) can yield up to three tons of fish in four to five months - comparable to the output of a one-dunam mud pond, he said. However, Idris warned that alternative farming methods could expose fish to heavy metals, posing risks to human health. Omar countered, stating that properly maintained plastic ponds are less likely to release microplastics and offer better resistance to environmental wear. Water and climate pressures The challenges facing the Kurdistan Region's fishing industry come amid broader regional concerns. In February, Jassim al-Asadi, head of the Nature Iraq environmental non-profit, stated that Iraq has lost 95 percent of the fish in its southern marshes due to climate change. The decline is largely driven by chronic water shortages. Approximately 75 percent of Iraq's water supply comes from neighboring Turkey and Iran, while only 20 to 25 percent originates domestically. Both countries have built numerous dams on the shared Tigris and Euphrates rivers, while Iraq lacks binding water-sharing agreements with either. The United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 report stated that Iraq is in a precarious The United Nations Global Environment Outlook 6 report identified Iraq as 'the world's fifth most vulnerable country to decreasing water and food availability and extreme temperatures.' This vulnerability is due to multiple factors, including a faster rate of warming than the global average, reduced rainfall, and upstream damming by neighbors. The consequences are already evident, with reports of internal displacement, desertification, and threats to public health and food security.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Dhi Qar reports 86 CCHF cases in 2025
Shafaq News – Dhi Qar Health authorities in Dhi Qar, southern Iraq, have recorded 86 cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) since the start of 2025, a source at the provincial Veterinary Hospital revealed on Monday. The source told Shafaq News that most infections, which included six deaths, were reported among butchers and livestock handlers, who face heightened exposure due to the nature of their work.
