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Iraqi News
4 days ago
- Health
- Iraqi News
Around 95 cases of VHFs were recorded in Iraq
The Ministry of Health announced new official statistics on hemorrhagic fever - VHF cases and deaths on Tuesday in Iraq. "The latest statistics issued by the Ministry's Public Health Department showed that 95 cases of VHFs have been recorded since the beginning of the year, including 13 deaths. The last week saw no deaths, but only infections," said the Ministry's official spokesperson, Saif Al-Badr, to the Iraqi News Agency - INA. He explained that "all cases were recorded among livestock breeders, butchers, and those working in the field of raising, transporting, and slaughtering animals." The Ministry recommended purchasing meat only from authorized slaughterhouses, storing meat at very low temperatures, and cooking it at very high temperatures, with special tools for cutting it, calling for "referring to the nearest healthcare facility when the initial symptoms of the disease appear, which include high fever, fatigue, and physical pain." "If the diagnosis of the disease is delayed until bleeding from body orifices or under the skin, the likelihood of complications and death increases. Early detection has previously contributed to saving dozens of cases," highlighted Al-Badr. He emphasized that "all Ministry of Health institutions in Baghdad, the governorates, and the Kurdistan Region are equipped to diagnose VHFs through specialized laboratories. There are also isolation wards designated for those infected or suspected of being infected until the diagnosis is confirmed." The Ministry of Health circulated awareness messages through the media, including posters and short, animated awareness videos. Al-Badr asserted that "the epidemiological situation is under control, and the disease is being monitored daily by the Minister of Health, the Public Health Department, and technical teams."
The Star
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Iraq reports rising cases of hemorrhagic fever, 4 deaths confirmed
BAGHDAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Health Ministry announced Thursday that the number of confirmed cases of hemorrhagic fever in the country has risen to 26 since the beginning of the year, with four fatalities. The ministry's spokesman, Saif Al-Badr, said in a brief statement that the northern Kirkuk province recorded three fatalities, with the latest reported on Thursday, while another death was reported in the southern province of Muthanna. The ministry did not reveal which virus led to the recent cases. Hemorrhagic fevers can be caused by several different viruses and can lead to severe symptoms including internal bleeding and organ failure. Since the late 1970s, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever has been the most common tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever in Iraq. The country has experienced recurring outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever since then.
Shafaq News
22-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Al-Muthanna confirms new CCHF death
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraq's Ministry of Health confirmed a new fatality from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Al-Muthanna province, as health authorities confirmed three new infections in the area, a medical source told Shafaq News. One of the newly reported cases involved a woman who died while receiving treatment at a specialized CCHF care center, bringing the total number of infections to 22 and deaths to three, the source noted. The Saladin Provincial Council declared a public health emergency amid growing concerns over the CCHF, while veterinary authorities in Iraq's Nineveh province reported no new infections. Earlier, the Ministry Spokesperson Saif Al-Badr told Shafaq News that the outbreak remains under control, with the health system capable of diagnosing and treating cases. CCHF is a contagious viral illness primarily spread through tick bites or exposure to the blood of infected animals. The disease poses serious health risks, with severe cases potentially causing internal bleeding, organ damage, and death.
Shafaq News
20-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Iraq fever surge: CCHF cases jump to 19 nationwide
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced, on Sunday, that five new cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) have been confirmed, bringing the nationwide total to 19 since the beginning of 2025. Ministry spokesperson Saif Al-Badr stated that the newly reported cases were distributed across multiple provinces. Dhi Qar leads with seven infections, followed by Kirkuk with four cases and two deaths. Al-Muthanna has reported three cases, while one has been confirmed in each of Nineveh, Basra, Baghdad's Rusafa district, Maysan, and Wasit. Earlier today, Kirkuk's Health Directorate denied reports of new cases, stating that the province's official toll remains at four confirmed infections and two fatalities. 'The total number includes two cases in the city center and two in surrounding districts,' said Arjan Mohammed Rashid, Director General of the Kirkuk Health Directorate. He stressed the importance of verifying information through official channels and confirmed that health teams are closely monitoring the situation. In southern Iraq, Basra health authorities confirmed the province's first case of CCHF over the weekend, detected through early warning efforts under a nationwide veterinary surveillance campaign. Riyadh Mohammed, Director of Basra Veterinary Hospital, said 24 field teams are working to monitor livestock and apply insecticidal treatments to reduce tick populations—the primary vector of the virus. In al-Anbar, where no cases have been reported so far, the Public Health Department has intensified field inspections to ensure compliance with safety measures in local butcher shops and slaughterhouses. The department head said legal action was taken against violators during surprise inspections in Ramadi. Public health teams also distributed awareness materials to shop owners about transmission risks and prevention strategies. No cases have been recorded in the Kurdistan Region, according to Health Minister Saman Barzanji. He said the situation remains stable in all Regional provinces. CCHF is a viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted through tick bites or direct contact with infected animal blood. It is highly infectious and can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure, and death in severe cases. According to the Mayo Clinic, early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle pain. Advanced stages can result in hemorrhaging, neurological impairment, kidney failure, and respiratory distress. Health authorities across Iraq continue to call for heightened public awareness and strict adherence to safety protocols as they work to contain the outbreak.
