Kirkuk health officials deny social media rumors of HIV infections among dentists

KIRKUK — Kirkuk’s health department on Thursday denied social media rumors alleging that seven dentists in the governorate had been infected with HIV, calling the claims baseless and threatening legal action against those responsible for spreading them.

In a statement, the department said the reports were false and warned that legal measures would be taken. “The Kirkuk Health Department affirms its legal right to prosecute those promoting rumors and false news through the appropriate judicial authorities,” the statement said.

The denial comes amid heightened public sensitivity around HIV following a separate incident in the Kurdistan Region. In late May, the KRG Health Ministry confirmed three cases of HIV linked to women’s beauty salons, triggering an official investigation and renewed scrutiny of unlicensed establishments.

Iraq’s HIV prevalence remains low, with the World Bank estimating a rate of 0.1% among adults aged 15 to 49. As of 2024, health authorities have recorded 2,638 HIV/AIDS cases nationwide.