CCHF: Five additional cases reported in Iraq
In a follow-up on a recent report, Iraq health authorities report five new cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) have been confirmed, bringing the nationwide total to 19 since the beginning of 2025.
According to the Ministry of Health, CCHF cases have now been reported in eight provinces- led by Dhi Qar (7), followed by Kirkuk (4 cases and two deaths). Al-Muthanna has reported three cases, while one has been confirmed in each of Nineveh, Basra, Baghdad’s Rusafa district, Maysan, and Wasit.
In Kirkuk, officials have shut down several unlicensed slaughterhouses to contain the spread of CCHF.
The District Commissioner of Kirkuk Falah Khalil said that the campaign targeted makeshift animal slaughter sites operating without adherence to health and safety regulations, adding that the closures were carried out following judicial approval, and coordinated with the Kirkuk Municipality, the city’s veterinary hospital, and the Directorate of Health.
“The effort is ongoing in other parts of the province to protect public health and prevent further transmission of zoonotic diseases,” he pointed out.
In al-Anbar, where no cases have been reported so far, the Public Health Department has intensified field inspections to ensure compliance with safety measures in local butcher shops and slaughterhouses.
No cases have been recorded in the Kurdistan Region, according to Health Minister Saman Barzanji. He said the situation remains stable in all Regional provinces.
On Monday, the Saladin Provincial Council declared a public health emergency across the province amid rising concern over the possible spread of CCHF.
The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever 101
CCHF outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 40%.
The virus is primarily transmitted to people from ticks and livestock animals. Human-to-human transmission can occur resulting from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.
CCHF is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia, in countries south of the 50th parallel north.
There is no vaccine available for either people or animals.