BAGHDAD, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Iraq has risen to 19 since the beginning of this year, the Iraqi Health Ministry announced on Thursday.
A total of 123 CCHF cases have been recorded nationwide, with 19 fatalities, ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr said in a statement.
The spokesman noted that the southern province of Dhi Qar recorded the highest number of infections, with 36 cases and one death, followed by Baghdad with 18 cases and five deaths.
This latest update marks an increase from the figures announced by Iraqi health authorities on June 5, which stood at 107 cases and 16 deaths.
In his statement, al-Badr urged security authorities to take necessary measures to curb illegal grazing and livestock trafficking, as they pose a risk of transmitting infectious diseases.
CCHF, characterized by fever, muscle aches, headache, and bleeding, has a high fatality rate ranging from 10 percent to 40 percent.
Since the late 1970s, CCHF has been the most common viral hemorrhagic fever in Iraq. It is transmitted to humans mainly through tick bites or contact with blood and tissues of infected animals, especially livestock.
Iraq has experienced recurring outbreaks of CCHF since then. The largest outbreak occurred in 2023, when over 587 cases and 83 deaths were reported, predominantly affecting southern provinces. ■
