Latest news with #PublicHealthDirectorate
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq's butchers bear the brunt of CCHF Crisis
Shafaq News/ In 2025, Iraq has recorded at least 96 cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), including 13 deaths, according to the latest data from the Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health and Shafaq News tracker. Official statements emphasize that the outbreak remains under control. However, health officials familiar with the situation told Shafaq News—on condition of anonymity—that the true number of infections is likely much higher than reported, citing underreporting in rural areas and limited diagnostic capabilities. Nearly all confirmed infections are concentrated among high-risk occupational groups: livestock breeders, animal transporters, and especially butchers. Within this vulnerable segment, butchers face a compounded risk—not only from direct contact with potentially infected animals but from the deteriorating infrastructure that forces them to operate outside official and sanitary channels. 'We Are Forced Outside the System' Muhammad Ali, a butcher in Babil Province with more than three decades of experience, described the daily hazards of his profession. 'We try to follow the laws and health instructions,' he explained, 'but the reality is we're often forced to slaughter outside official abattoirs—not because we want to break the rules, but because there simply aren't enough slaughterhouses.' Ali points to a chronic lack of facilities, especially during high-demand seasons such as Eid Al-Adha, when families sacrifice an animal—typically a sheep, goat, or cow—and distribute the meat to family, relatives, and people in poverty. 'The few slaughterhouses that do exist are overwhelmed. We wait for hours. Work becomes unbearable, customers get angry, and the delay sometimes ruins the meat. Then we are blamed, even though the fault lies in the system's inability to serve us.' He warns that the legal risks butchers face for so-called 'unauthorized slaughter' ignore the economic and logistical pressures that push them into these situations. 'We're not criminals. We're surviving.' Ali calls for urgent interventions: more licensed slaughterhouses, mobile abattoirs for underserved areas, and even temporary legal alternatives supervised by health authorities. 'Without keep working in the shadows—and we'll keep getting sick.' A Nationwide Gap in Slaughter Infrastructure Dr. Thaer Sabri Hussein, Director of the Epidemiology Department at Iraq's Veterinary Authority, confirmed the infrastructure crisis. 'There are only 52 official slaughterhouses in Iraq, and most are in poor condition,' he told Shafaq News. 'We need at least 300 to meet current demand. The few modern facilities we do have are negligible.' The Ministry of Agriculture has submitted a formal request to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers to approve the construction of modern abattoirs. As a temporary measure, the Ministry of Environment has been tasked with rehabilitating defunct facilities. However, officials acknowledge that these efforts fall short of addressing the scale of the problem. Cities most affected by unregulated slaughter include Baghdad, which houses more than 10 million people, and now records the highest number of infections (29,) followed by religious hubs like Karbala and Najaf, where massive pilgrimages frequently overwhelm municipal services. 'These areas are hotspots not only for illegal slaughter but also for potential disease transmission,' Hussein warned. Although Iraqi law restricts animal slaughter to official facilities under Article 105 of the 1983 Veterinary Code, enforcement is lax. Hussein admits, 'In reality, controlling unregulated slaughter is extremely difficult. That's why we're focusing on awareness campaigns to educate livestock handlers and the public about the importance of safe practices.' Fighting Disease with Incomplete Tools To curb the spread of CCHF, the Ministry of Agriculture conducts two national anti-tick spraying campaigns annually, targeting the blood-sucking parasite responsible for transmitting the virus. When an infection is confirmed in a specific area, it is classified as a 'disease hotspot,' triggering emergency spraying and a halt to animal movement until livestock are examined and treated. Yet these reactive measures are constrained by limited reach and chronic underfunding. Without systemic reforms—especially in slaughterhouse availability and enforcement mechanisms—such interventions remain insufficient.
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- General
- Rudaw Net
New Crimean-Congo fever case reported in Ranya
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A 29-year-old livestock farmer in northern Sulaimani province has tested positive for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever after exposure to infected animals, the Kurdistan Region's health ministry announced on Friday. 'Another case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever was recorded, a 29-year-old male resident of Boskin sub-district in Ranya district in the Raparin administration, whose profession is livestock farming. He was exposed to infected animals,' read a statement from the ministry. 'He is currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is receiving treatment. His health condition is stable so far,' the statement added. This is the fourth confirmed case of the fever in the Kurdistan Region this year. Two cases, one of them fatal, were recorded in Duhok province and one in Koya, along with one person originally from Basra who tested positive in Erbil. 'Over the past two months, only four cases have been identified and confirmed. Unfortunately, one of them lost their life due to the severity of their health condition, and the other cases have completely recovered and been discharged from the hospital,' the ministry said. The Crimean-Congo fever 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. As of early May, Iraq reported 53 confirmed infections and seven deaths, the director general of the Public Health Directorate at the federal health ministry, Riyadh al-Halfi, told Rudaw at the time Preventive measures are ongoing. They include the use of protective gear, such as gloves, masks, and goggles, especially for those who work with animals or meat. Veterinary hospitals have also been conducting large-scale tick control campaigns since late April. The Iraqi government stated in April 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 when handling meat, recommending the use of protective gloves and separate utensils for raw meat.
Rudaw Net
11-05-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
First Crimean-Congo fever patient dies in Duhok
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Duhok province on Saturday confirmed its first Crimean-Congo fever fatality, a hospital official told Rudaw. The patient, a 45-year-old woman from the Sheladze subdistrict, was admitted to Azadi Teaching Hospital on Wednesday after exhibiting symptoms of the disease. On Friday, her test results returned from Baghdad and confirmed the diagnosis. She passed away on Saturday, Sagvan Sulaiman, head of the hospital, told Rudaw. The Kurdistan Region's first case of Crimean-Congo fever this year was recorded on May 2 in the town of Koya in Erbil province. Riyadh al-Halfi, director general of the Public Health Directorate at the health ministry, told Rudaw on Monday that they have recorded 53 cases of the fever, including seven deaths. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever 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. It is frequently fatal, with severe symptoms including internal bleeding, coma, and multi-organ failure. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) introduced precautionary measures last month to prevent the spread of the disease. Hayder Doski contributed to this article.
Rudaw Net
05-05-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
Seven dead, 53 infected with hemorrhagic fever across Iraq: Health ministry
Also in Iraq 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.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Isle of Man children's tooth decay issues tackled through schools
A scheme to encourage five-year-olds to brush their teeth twice a day has been expanded to more age groups on the Isle of Man in a bid to tackle the growing issue of tooth decay. A survey by the Public Health Directorate found youngsters on the island were experiencing more dental problems than the worst areas of the UK. In response the Manx government has offered its Smile of Mann scheme to more age groups in primary schools, and included optional fluoride varnishing twice a government said it aimed to have all 32 of the island's primary schools signed up to the initiative in time. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
