Iraq: 1st Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever case reported in Dhi Qar Governorate
In southern Iraq, the Dhi Qar Governorate announced recently that it recorded the first case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) of the year.
The director of the Veterinary Medicine Hospital in Dhi Qar, Ali Abdulsattar, said, "The first human case of hemorrhagic fever was recorded for an individual in his forties in the Al-Gharraf district, north of Nasiriyah."
He added, "The area was completely cordoned off, and the spraying of miticides began. Strict restrictions were imposed on the movement of livestock to reduce the risk of the spread of infection."
In 2024, 211 cases and 26 deaths were recorded in Iraq. Most cases were recorded in Dhi Qar governorate (40 infections and 6 deaths).
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.