Baghdad – INA
The Ministry of Health confirmed on Saturday that no cases of Hantavirus have been recorded in Iraq, while noting that it continues to monitor developments and take the necessary proactive measures.
Ministry spokesman Saif Al-Badr said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "no cases of Hantavirus have been recorded in Iraq, and the epidemiological situation is being continuously monitored globally and regionally." He added that "the Ministry continues to monitor developments and take the necessary proactive measures to ensure preparedness by strengthening the epidemiological surveillance system, distributing the scientific bulletin on the disease to health departments and institutions, implementing infection control measures in health institutions, and enhancing public awareness regarding transmission methods and prevention."
Al-Badr explained that "Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that naturally infect rodents and can sometimes be transmitted to humans, causing potentially severe illnesses, depending on the type of virus and the geographical area."
Al-Badr noted that "on May 2, 2026, the World Health Organization received notification from the United Kingdom regarding a cluster of severe respiratory illness cases on a cruise ship. Laboratory tests in South Africa confirmed that one patient was infected with the Hantavirus, and by May 4, the total number of cases had reached seven."
Al-Badr concluded by saying, "The World Health Organization assesses the global risk of this event as low."