New Crimean-Congo fever case confirmed in Duhok
Cabinet formation needed despite 'illegitimate' parliament: Komal leader
Canada opens business council to enhance cooperation with Erbil, Baghdad: Ambassador
Energy deals with US to boost industrial, economic growth: KRG official
KDP accuses 'some' in Baghdad of eroding federalism, using salaries for leverage
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's health ministry confirmed on Tuesday a new case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in the northern Duhok province.
'A 28 year-old resident of Batifa district in [Duhok's] Zakho area, who works as a livestock farmer and had contact with animals,' developed symptoms of CCHF, the ministry said in a statement.
'Several diagnostic procedures and medical treatments have been undertaken,' the statement added, noting that the patient is currently under medical supervision and his condition is stable.
The ministry further urged anyone working with animals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms related to the disease.
This is the fifth confirmed CCHF case in the Kurdistan Region this year. Previously, two cases - including one fatal - were reported in Duhok province, one in Koya, and another individual originally from Basra tested positive in Erbil.
CCHF is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through multiple routes, including bites from infected ticks, contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, exposure to bodily fluids of infected persons, and consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected livestock.
As of early May, Iraq had reported 53 confirmed infections and seven deaths, according to Riyadh al-Halfi, director general of the Public Health Directorate at the federal health ministry.
Preventive measures continue to be implemented, including the use of protective gear such as gloves, masks, and goggles, especially for those handling animals or meat. Veterinary hospitals have also launched large-scale tick control campaigns since late April.
The Iraqi government stated in April that it is 'exerting full efforts' to contain the outbreak, reassuring citizens that 'with proper measures in place, transmission to citizens will remain rare.' The federal health ministry urged caution when handling meat, recommending the use of protective gloves and separate utensils for raw meat.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
20 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iran's Quds Force chief held secret meetings with Iraqi Shiite leaders
Shafaq News – Baghdad The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, paid a brief, unannounced visit to Baghdad in recent days, where he met with senior figures in Iraq's Coordination Framework. Informed sources told Shafaq News that Qaani's visit lasted approximately ten hours and included separate meetings with former prime minister and State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma) leader Ammar al-Hakim, Fatah Alliance head Hadi al-Amiri, and Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq leader Humam Hammoudi. The discussions, the source revealed, focused on regional developments and Iraq's internal political landscape, with particular attention to upcoming elections and shifting alliances within the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, a major political bloc supported by Tehran. The Iranian commander did not meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during this visit. This marks Qaani's second visit to Baghdad within two months. On June 28, he reportedly met with figures from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups backed by Iran. No official statements have been issued by either the Iraqi or Iranian sides regarding these meetings.
Shafaq News
24 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq launches sweeping safety reforms after deadly Kut fire
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered wide-ranging safety reforms aimed at strengthening civil defense protocols across the country, following a catastrophic in Kut that left at least 70 people dead. During an emergency meeting with provincial governors and relevant ministers, al-Sudani emphasized the urgent need to prevent further tragedies by improving safety standards in public institutions, commercial venues, and infrastructure projects. He directed governors to make civil defense efforts a top priority and to personally oversee the implementation of Iraq's 2013 Civil Defense Law. Under the new directives, all provinces are required to conduct inspections of public and private facilities within 15 days. Facilities found to be in violation of safety regulations may be temporarily closed for up to two weeks. Each governor will lead a local Civil Defense Committee to ensure the enforcement of emergency protocols, supervise disaster preparedness, and coordinate inter-agency responses. Al-Sudani also called for improved readiness at the national level, urging the Interior Ministry and Civil Defense Directorate to increase coordination, technical training, and oversight. The government plans to introduce televised campaigns on fire safety and emergency behavior, and is considering the integration of civil defense instruction into school and university curricula. In addition, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will monitor occupational safety across sectors, ensuring that businesses comply with fire prevention measures and maintain proper equipment. Municipal authorities are tasked with installing fire suppression systems in high-risk areas and ensuring that new construction meets civil defense standards.
Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq's wheat production declines due to summer drought
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture confirmed on Sunday that the country's wheat production dropped drastically in 2025 due to the lack of rain. Iraq's deputy agriculture minister, Mahdi al-Jubouri, told Rudaw that this year's wheat production is estimated to be 5.12 million tons, compared to 5.4 million tons produced in 2024. Iraq is suffering from a deepening water shortage. According to the United Nations, the country is the fifth most vulnerable to climate change, with the consequences compounded by Turkey and Iran's construction of dams on rivers that flow into Iraq. The absence of formal agreements with the two countries, along with this year's drought, has exacerbated the issue. According to al-Jubouri, Iraq has maintained a consistent production of fruits and vegetables because these crops do not require a lot of water. The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture declared in mid-July that it had achieved self-sufficiency in wheat for the third year in a row. The wheat produced from different Iraqi provinces, except the Kurdistan region of Iraq, reached four million tons so far, Shafaq News reported. During a celebration marking the accomplishment, Iraqi Minister of Agriculture Abbas Al-Maliki stated that this achievement is the result of ongoing government support and the ministry's plans, which include providing agricultural supplies, using modern irrigation techniques to address water scarcity, and providing improved seeds and fertilizers. Iraq was self-sufficient in wheat for three years before the crisis in Ukraine, producing 4.7 million tons in 2019, 6.2 million tons in 2020, and around 4.2 million tons in 2021. However, water scarcity and desertification limited local wheat production, forcing the Iraqi government to import wheat to fill the shortfall.
