Iraq Reports 95 Cases of Hemorrhagic Fever This Year

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Health announced that 95 cases of hemorrhagic fever have been recorded since the beginning of the year, with 13 deaths confirmed. Health officials said all medical institutions are equipped to diagnose the disease and stressed that the situation remains under control.

“The latest statistics from the Public Health Directorate show 95 cases of hemorrhagic fever since the start of the year, including 13 deaths,” Health Ministry spokesperson Seif al-Badr told the Iraqi News Agency. “The past week recorded no deaths, only new infections.”

According to the Ministry of Health, the distribution of hemorrhagic fever cases varies across Iraq’s governorates. Dhi Qar has reported the highest number with 29 cases and one death. Baghdad’s Rusafa side and Wasit each recorded 11 cases, with three deaths in Rusafa and one in Wasit. Al-Muthanna confirmed seven cases and two deaths. Both Nineveh and Maysan reported six cases with no fatalities. Kirkuk has seen five infections and four deaths, while Basra and Diyala also reported five cases each, with Diyala confirming one death. Diwaniyah and Baghdad’s Karkh side documented two cases each with no deaths. Duhok reported two cases, including one fatality. The governorates of Babylon, Anbar, Erbil, and Karbala each confirmed a single case with no deaths.

Al-Badr said all infections were among livestock breeders, butchers, and workers involved in raising, transporting, or slaughtering animals. He urged those working in these sectors to wear protective clothing, gloves, and masks when handling animals, their meat, fluids, skins, or waste. He also warned about the risk posed by tick bites, which can transmit the virus.

He stressed the importance of food safety and advised the public to buy meat only from licensed slaughterhouses. “The ministry recommends buying meat only from licensed slaughterhouses, storing it at very low temperatures, cooking it at very high temperatures, and using dedicated cutting tools,” he said.

Al-Badr urged people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience early symptoms such as high fever, fatigue, or body pain. “When diagnosis is delayed until the bleeding phase, either through body openings or under the skin, the risk of complications and death increases,” he said. “Early detection has helped save dozens of cases in the past.”

He confirmed that health facilities across Baghdad, other governorates, and the Kurdistan Region are equipped to diagnose hemorrhagic fever through specialized laboratories. Isolation wards are available for confirmed or suspected cases until diagnosis is verified.

“The Ministry of Health has distributed hundreds of public awareness messages across media platforms, including posters and animated short videos,” he said, encouraging media outlets to play an active role in spreading public health information. “The epidemiological situation is under control, and the disease is being monitored daily by the Minister of Health, public health officials, and technical teams,” he added.

Al-Badr also noted that a special operations room has been set up within the Higher Committee for One Health, which includes the ministries of agriculture, environment, interior, Baghdad Municipality, and other local authorities. He said regular technical meetings are held with health surveillance and agriculture teams to monitor developments in all governorates.