Latest news with #MohammedSabahDawood
Shafaq News
26-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
CCHF: Iraq's Kirkuk mourns another health worker
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Kirkuk province recorded a new death from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a medical source at the Kirkuk Health Directorate revealed on Saturday. The source told Shafaq News that the latest victim, an employee in the laboratory department at Kirkuk Teaching Hospital, had been diagnosed with the virus several days earlier and later died from complications, adding, 'This is the second fatality among health workers in Kirkuk during the current surge in cases.' Kirkuk Health Directorate intensified preventive measures across medical facilities, conducting health screenings for staff to limit potential transmission, the source noted, pointing out that the latest death raises the province's fatality count to four since the beginning of this year's outbreak. Meanwhile, health officials in al-Anbar province emphasized that no confirmed CCHF cases have been recorded there to date. Mohammed Sabah Dawood, Head of the Public Health Department at al-Anbar Health Directorate, explained to our agency that all reported cases remain 'suspected' pending laboratory confirmation. 'Preventive protocols were implemented promptly after initial alerts, helping contain the situation and prevent further spread,' Dawood clarified, stressing the ongoing coordination between health teams and hospitals to strengthen surveillance and emergency response across the province. Public health campaigns and monitoring efforts remain active, he said, urging citizens to disregard unverified reports on social media and other outlets and to rely solely on official updates to avoid 'unnecessary panic.' According to Shafaq News tracker, 27 CCHF cases had been recorded nationwide since the beginning of the year, including four fatalities. CCHF, transmitted by tick bites or contact with infected animal blood, is highly contagious and can be fatal in more than 40% of cases, particularly if not treated promptly.
Shafaq News
11-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Iraq's al-Anbar: Chickenpox outbreak among students 'Not Alarming'
Shafaq News/ On Friday, health authorities in Iraq's western al-Anbar province confirmed several chickenpox cases among students in Haditha district, describing the situation as 'stable and under control.' Mohammed Sabah Dawood, Director of the Public Health Department at al-Anbar Health Directorate, told our agency that the infections are 'within expected levels and not alarming,' adding that health teams have been 'monitoring the situation daily' and implemented precautionary measures immediately after detection. He noted that infected students were placed on mandatory leave to prevent further spread. 'All indicators suggest that the situation is receding in line with adherence to the implemented health measures,' Dawood asserted, calling for continued cooperation between school staff, parents, and health personnel to ensure student safety. What is Chickenpox? Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which spreads through airborne droplets and contact with blister fluid. Common in school-aged children, it typically presents with an itchy rash, fever, and fatigue. Additionally, the incubation period ranges from 10 to 21 days, with individuals contagious from one to two days before symptom onset until all blisters have scabbed.
