Iraq’s health ministry denies emergence of new COVID-19 variant

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Ministry of Health has refuted claims regarding the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in the country, confirming that only the Omicron variant, known for its milder symptoms, is currently present.

In a statement to the state-run channel Al-Iraqiya, Dr. Riyadh Abdul Amir Al-Halfi, Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, addressed claims from individuals outside Iraq suggesting the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant and the necessity for precautionary measures. He stated that advanced testing conducted at the Central Public Health Laboratory has not identified any new variants beyond Omicron.

“Through examinations with contemporary devices available in the Central Health Laboratory, it has not been confirmed that there is a new variant of the coronavirus, only the last Omicron variant that appeared years ago, which causes mild and non-dangerous infections,” Al-Halfi said.

Regarding the rise in influenza cases, Al-Halfi noted that the increase is typical during the autumn and winter seasons, consistent with patterns observed in previous years. He emphasized that there is no new variant in Iraq and advised citizens to exercise caution in enclosed spaces.

“Iraq possesses advanced devices for detecting viruses, and there is no new dangerous variant of coronavirus,” he affirmed.

The COVID-19 pandemic reached Iraq in February 2020, with the first confirmed case reported in Najaf. As of June 1, 2022, Iraq had recorded over 2.38 million COVID-19 cases and more than 25,000 related deaths. The country faced significant challenges in managing the outbreak, including limited healthcare infrastructure and the aftermath of prolonged conflicts. Iraq implemented measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, and vaccination campaigns to mitigate the virus’s spread and impact.