At least 27 people have died in Iraq from Congo fever since the start of the year, a rising toll released on Saturday by the authorities who are trying to curb the spread of this disease transmitted by cattle. A previous official report had made state a month ago of 12 deaths due to this hemorrhagic fever since the beginning of 2022.
Transmission of the disease occurs “either by tick bites or by contact with blood or tissues of infected animals, during or immediately after slaughter”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Since the beginning of the year, 162 cases of haemorrhagic fever have been recorded, including 27 deaths. Half of those affected have now recovered,” health ministry spokesman Seif al-Badr said. that a first death had been recorded in the autumn region of Kurdistan, in northern Iraq. The Ministry of Health is trying to “detect cases as early as possible”, assured Mr. Badr.
Many cases (61) have been identified in Dhi Qar, a poor and rural province in the south of the country where cattle, sheep and goats are raised, animals which are all intermediate hosts of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. (CHFC). The authorities are hunting down slaughterhouses that do not respect hygiene protocols. Several provinces have banned all entry and exit of livestock from the region and have launched disinfection campaigns among the animals. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Health, those most affected by hemorrhagic fever are cattle breeders as well as slaughterhouse workers.
The virus causes death in 10 to 40% of cases. Between humans, the transmission of the disease “may occur following direct contact with blood, secretions, organs or biological fluids of infected subjects”, according to the WHO.
At least 27 people have died in Iraq from Congo fever since the start of the year, a rising toll released on Saturday by authorities trying to curb the spread of this disease transmitted by livestock. A previous official report had reported a month ago of 12 deaths due to this hemorrhagic fever since the beginning of 2022. The transmission of the disease is…