Health Ministry Confirms 123 Haemorrhagic Fever Cases and 19 Deaths in Iraq

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A healthcare worker in the process of spraying a cow.

The Federal Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that 123 cases of haemorrhagic fever have been recorded since the start of the year, including 19 fatalities. The Ministry has urged a reduction in unregulated grazing and slaughtering practices.

In a statement to PUKMEDIA, the Ministry’s official spokesperson, Saif al-Badr, stated that Health Minister Salih al-Hasnawi chaired a meeting of the Supreme National Health Committee. This committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Environment, the Baghdad Municipality, as well as relevant security agencies, and was convened to closely monitor developments in the epidemiological situation through joint coordination.

Al-Badr called on security forces to implement appropriate measures to curb illegal livestock trade and uncontrolled slaughter and grazing, due to the risk they pose in spreading infectious diseases, particularly haemorrhagic fever. He underscored the role of the Ministry of Agriculture in tackling tick infestations and managing infected animals and expressed appreciation for the Veterinary Department’s cooperation in this regard.

He noted that, since the beginning of 2025, the Ministry of Health has confirmed 123 cases of haemorrhagic fever, including 19 deaths, with the distribution across governorates as follows:

Dhi Qar: 36 cases / 1 death
Wasit: 15 cases / 2 deaths
Baghdad/Rusafa: 14 cases / 5 deaths
Muthanna: 8 cases / 2 deaths
Maysan: 8 cases / no deaths
Basra: 8 cases / 1 death
Nineveh: 7 cases / no deaths
Kirkuk: 5 cases / 4 deaths
Diyala: 5 cases / 1 death
Baghdad/Karkh: 4 cases / no deaths
Diwaniyah: 3 cases / no deaths
Duhok: 3 cases / 1 death
Babil: 2 cases / 1 death

Additionally, the governorates of Anbar, Erbil, Karbala, Sulaymaniyah, and Najaf have each reported a single case, with one death in both Duhok and Najaf.

Al-Badr stressed that the Ministry’s health institutions are equipped to diagnose and treat cases effectively, noting that many individuals have recovered through early detection and treatment. He highlighted that the majority of cases involve livestock breeders, traders, and butchers.

The Ministry reiterated the importance of following preventive measures, including keeping meat well-frozen and thoroughly cooked, using separate cutting tools and wearing gloves when handling meat, maintaining general hygiene, wearing protective clothing when dealing with animals, and promptly reporting any suspected cases to the nearest health centre.



PUKMEDIA