Baghdad – INA
Ministry of Health on Monday announced 145 laboratory-confirmed cases of viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) and nine deaths since the beginning of 2026, while affirming the continuation of preventive, diagnostic and treatment measures.
Health Ministry spokesman Saif Al-Badr said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the ministry is monitoring the epidemiological situation across all provinces on a daily basis through surveillance teams and health institutions, in coordination with veterinary and regulatory authorities.
Al-Badr said the epidemiological report for week 23 of 2026 recorded 40 laboratory-confirmed cases and one death. The cases were distributed as follows: Dhi Qar (21 cases), Maysan (2), Baghdad Rusafa (1), Diyala (1), Babil (1), Wasit (2), Basra (3 cases, including one death), Muthanna (6), Nineveh (1), and Salah al-Din (2).
He added that the cumulative total since the start of 2026 had reached 145 confirmed cases and nine deaths, including 74 cases and six deaths in Dhi Qar, 18 cases in Muthanna, nine in Maysan, eight cases and one death in Diyala, seven cases and one death in Babil, seven cases in Wasit, six cases and one death in Basra, three cases each in Baghdad Rusafa and Nineveh, two cases each in Karbala, Baghdad Karkh and Salah al-Din, and one case each in Diwaniyah, Kirkuk, Anbar and Najaf.
The ministry said it continues to conduct public awareness campaigns and strengthen early detection, diagnosis and treatment measures, noting that treatment has proven effective when cases are diagnosed early.
Al-Badr urged citizens to adhere to preventive measures, including purchasing meat only from licensed slaughterhouses, avoiding unregulated slaughter and grazing in residential areas, wearing gloves and protective clothing when handling animals, meat, animal products or waste, controlling tick infestations, regularly washing hands and disinfecting equipment used in meat handling, and ensuring meat is properly frozen and thoroughly cooked.
He said early symptoms of VHFs include fever, headache, body aches and general fatigue, while some cases may develop hemorrhagic symptoms. He stressed the importance of seeking medical attention promptly, particularly for individuals who have direct contact with animals, such as butchers, livestock breeders and traders.
Al-Badr added that while the Health Ministry is responsible for diagnosing cases, providing treatment and conducting health awareness campaigns, tick control, management of infected animals, and preventing unregulated grazing and slaughter fall under the responsibility of other authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies and municipal bodies.
He renewed the ministry’s call for citizens to rely on official sources of information and cooperate with health and veterinary teams to help protect public health and limit the spread of the disease.
Health Ministry spokesman Saif Al-Badr said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the ministry is monitoring the epidemiological situation across all provinces on a daily basis through surveillance teams and health institutions, in coordination with veterinary and regulatory authorities.
Al-Badr said the epidemiological report for week 23 of 2026 recorded 40 laboratory-confirmed cases and one death. The cases were distributed as follows: Dhi Qar (21 cases), Maysan (2), Baghdad Rusafa (1), Diyala (1), Babil (1), Wasit (2), Basra (3 cases, including one death), Muthanna (6), Nineveh (1), and Salah al-Din (2).
He added that the cumulative total since the start of 2026 had reached 145 confirmed cases and nine deaths, including 74 cases and six deaths in Dhi Qar, 18 cases in Muthanna, nine in Maysan, eight cases and one death in Diyala, seven cases and one death in Babil, seven cases in Wasit, six cases and one death in Basra, three cases each in Baghdad Rusafa and Nineveh, two cases each in Karbala, Baghdad Karkh and Salah al-Din, and one case each in Diwaniyah, Kirkuk, Anbar and Najaf.
The ministry said it continues to conduct public awareness campaigns and strengthen early detection, diagnosis and treatment measures, noting that treatment has proven effective when the disease is diagnosed early.
Al-Badr urged citizens to follow preventive measures, including purchasing meat only from licensed slaughterhouses, avoiding unregulated slaughter and grazing in residential areas, wearing protective clothing and gloves when handling animals or animal products, controlling tick infestations, regularly washing hands and disinfecting equipment used in meat handling, and ensuring meat is properly frozen and thoroughly cooked.
He said early symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, body aches and general fatigue, while some cases may develop hemorrhagic symptoms. He stressed the importance of seeking medical attention promptly, particularly for individuals who have direct contact with animals, such as butchers, livestock breeders and traders.
Al-Badr added that while the Health Ministry is responsible for diagnosis, treatment and public health awareness, the control of ticks, management of infected animals and prevention of unregulated grazing and slaughter fall under the responsibility of other authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies and municipal bodies.
He renewed the ministry’s call for citizens to rely on official sources of information and cooperate with health and veterinary teams to help protect public health and limit the spread of the disease.
