BAGHDAD, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Health Ministry announced Tuesday the country has recorded 219 confirmed cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), including 16 deaths, since the beginning of 2026.
During the final week of June alone, 23 cases and three fatalities were reported, ministry spokesperson Saif al-Badr said in a statement.
According to the statement, Dhi Qar province in southern Iraq recorded the highest tally, with 101 confirmed infections and eight fatalities.
Al-Badr said the ministry is conducting daily monitoring across all provinces in coordination with veterinary and regulatory authorities, urging citizens to adhere to preventive measures.
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 the 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.
