A death from hemorrhagic fever CCHF was recorded in Dohuk governorate in the KRI.

Today, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Dohuk Governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq recorded the first death due to hemorrhagic fever during the current year 2024.
The deceased citizen was 48 years old. He had visited Dohuk Hospital more than two weeks ago, and after conducting medical examinations, it was confirmed that he was suffering from hemorrhagic fever. He later died in an Erbil hospital. The Ministry also recorded that a 65-year-old woman was infected with the same disease, and her health condition is currently stable.
This morning, the Minister of Health in the Kurdistan Region, Saman Barzanji, announced the recording of the first three cases of cholera and hemorrhagic fever in the year 2024. This came in a joint press conference held by the Minister with Bikerd Talabani, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources in the Regional Government, regarding the death of large numbers of seagulls. In Dokan Lake in Sulaymaniyah.
Barzanji said in the press conference, “A couple fell ill with hemorrhagic fever in Akre district of Dohuk Governorate. The husband (the man) breathed his last the moment he arrived at the hospital due to his critical condition, while the wife’s health condition is stable and is subject to medical care.”
The Minister of Health noted the need to deal with this disease with caution, as a result of the large number of deaths among those infected with it, stressing that the Ministry follows up the places where livestock are raised, and provides the necessary instructions to barn owners, and adequate medications for infected animals.
According to World Health Organization statistics, Iraq recorded (50) cases of hemorrhagic fever during this year, and 8 deaths from the disease, including the case recorded in Dohuk today.
Hemorrhagic fever has been endemic in Iraq for three years, and this disease is claiming lives despite the efforts made by the Ministry of Agriculture through veterinary teams that spray animal breeding areas, and conduct awareness and education campaigns for the community. It is noteworthy that this disease is caused by a type of virus that is transmitted by ticks to humans through direct contact. Humans can also become infected through contact with secretions of infected animals.
It is noteworthy that hemorrhagic fever is one of the most dangerous common diseases that is transmitted from animals to humans. The infection in animals is subtle and the animal does not show any signs of illness. Therefore, identifying the infected animal, which becomes a source of transmission of the disease, is difficult and unclear. .
These diseases are considered a real challenge to the veterinary institution and the quality of veterinary services provided by the government in order to preserve the safety of the animal, as well as the safety of society and all people who deal with animals or their products.