One dead in Kirkuk due to Congo fever
Also in Iraq
Iraq, France FMs discuss regional stability, security ties
Rising profile of Iraqi cardinal as papacy candidate stirs debate in Iraq
Unfinished Stories: The Republic of Factions
Former Kirkuk governor released on bail amid corruption charges
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A butcher lost his life in Kirkuk on Wednesday amid an outbreak of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a health official said, days after the disease claimed the lives of two people in the city.
'Today, a 52-year-old citizen, who was a butcher, died due to hemorrhagic fever,' Kirkuk health directorate spokesperson Saman Yaba told Rudaw.
Yaba also confirmed that a 37-year-old nurse tested positive for the disease. 'She is currently under medical supervision,' he said.
CCHF is a highly contagious virus that can be transmitted to humans through several routes, including contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals, bites from infected ticks, direct exposure to bodily fluids of infected individuals, and consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected livestock.
While some cases present with mild symptoms, the disease is frequently fatal. Severe symptoms may include internal bleeding, coma, and multi-organ failure affecting the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system. The World Health Organization estimates the fatality rate can reach up to 40%.
CCHF has been endemic in Iraq since 1979, but has seen a resurgence since 2021, particularly in the southern provinces, raising public health concerns.
At least 22 people across Iraq have been infected with CCHF since the beginning of the year, according to statistics from the health ministry released Wednesday, three of whom have died.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq enforces Eid food safety amid soaring heat
Shafaq News/ Authorities in al-Sulaymaniyah and Diyala provinces intensified food safety measures during Eid al-Adha, officials reported on Monday. The measures come as Eid al-Adha typically sees a rise in livestock slaughter, increasing the risk of food contamination, compounded by a severe heatwave in the country, with temperatures reaching up to 49°C in several regions, in addition to efforts to contain Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), a tick-borne virus associated with informal butchering and direct animal contact. In al-Sulaymaniyah, the provincial slaughterhouse received 735 animals over the first three days of the Eid holiday. Shalaw Aref, operations manager, confirmed that veterinary teams inspected all meat and disposed of nearly half a ton deemed unfit for consumption using approved sanitary protocols. 'We boosted technical and veterinary staff to ensure compliance with both health regulations and religious guidelines,' Aref told Shafaq News. Meanwhile, in Diyala, the Health Directorate closed 10 restaurants following surprise inspections. Fares al-Azzawi, the directorate's spokesperson, stated that teams documented severe hygiene breaches, including "unclean kitchens and improper food handling."
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Shafaq News
CCHF on the rise: Iraq confirms 109 infections ahead of Eid al-Adha
Shafaq News/ Iraq has confirmed 109 cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) so far this year, the Health Ministry reported on Saturday. The ministry urged citizens to adhere to safety measures during Eid al-Adha, citing heightened risk from unregulated livestock slaughter and direct animal contact. 'Most cases are linked to unauthorized butchering and informal animal handling,' ministry spokesperson Saif al-Badr stated. Deputy Health Minister Hani al-Okaili called on the public to avoid street-side butchering. 'We advise citizens to purchase meat from licensed slaughterhouses and use gloves and designated tools when handling raw meat,' he told Shafaq News. Dhi Qar remains the hardest-hit province with 31 cases and one death, followed by eastern Baghdad (11 cases, five deaths), Wasit (12 cases, one death), Muthanna (eight cases, two deaths), and Maysan (eight cases, no deaths), with more cases in 13 other provinces.
Iraqi News
5 days ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq to launch new strategy to eliminate poverty
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Planning revealed on Wednesday that it is working on a strategy to reduce poverty in the country. The spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, told Shafaq News that a five-year plan is being prepared to help the people in need and most vulnerable members of society through different approaches, including health, education, housing, services, income, and food security. The government's approach also involves mitigating the effects of climate change, including drought, desertification, and the waves of migration that accompany these phenomena, according to Al-Hindawi. The Iraqi official added that the government's new approach will involve the ministries of health, education, higher education, labor and social affairs, construction and housing, local governments, and the private sector. The Planning Ministry has finalized the final draft of the strategy, and a public statement will be made after the necessary administrative procedures are completed, according to Al-Hindawi. In February, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning revealed the results of a socioeconomic study of families in the country, performed in collaboration with the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which found that the poverty rate had dropped to 17.5 percent compared to 20.05 percent in 2018.
