Increase in Hemorrhagic Fever Deaths in Iraq

The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced today, Tuesday, the numbers of cases and deaths from hemorrhagic fever and identified the most affected governorate. The ministry's spokesperson, Saif Al-Badr, told the official agency (WAA) that "the latest official statistics of hemorrhagic fever recorded since the beginning of this year in Iraq amounted to 128 cases, including 18 deaths," noting that "most cases and deaths are concentrated in Dhi Qar Governorate." He added that "the role of the Ministry of Health is to detect the infected early; if the disease is in an early stage, the chances of recovery are very high. However, if the infected person delays visiting healthcare facilities, the likelihood of death is very high." He clarified that "the primary responsibility for combating hemorrhagic fever rests with the Ministry of Agriculture through combating the tick that transmits the disease," urging the Ministries of Interior and Municipalities to "address the issue of random grazing and the improper transfer of animals between cities and governorates."