Najaf health officials deny reports of 222 HIV cases in Haidariya

NAJAF — Health officials in Najaf on Sunday denied social media reports claiming that 222 people in the Haidariya subdistrict had tested positive for HIV.

Maher Al-Aboudi, head of media at Najaf’s Health Department, called the reports false.

This is not the first time rumors about HIV infections have spread in Iraq. On Dec. 10, 2025, the Anbar Health Directorate refuted claims on social media that 92 cases had been recorded in Fallujah.

Authorities warned that spreading unverified information about HIV can cause public panic and urged citizens to rely on official health sources.

There is no cure for AIDS. However, effective antiviral therapies can control HIV, reduce the amount of virus in the body and allow infected individuals to live a normal life if they adhere to treatment.

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

Earlier in December, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Health said 87 new HIV cases were recorded in the region during the first 11 months of 2025. In a statement, the ministry said 64 of the new cases involve “foreign residents and individuals from outside the region,” while 23 cases are among Kurdistan Region residents.