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Elaf from London: The Iraqi Ministry of Health warned Monday of the dangers of an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever in the country following recording injuries and deaths as a result, noting that this disease has no cure, and the death rate of those infected with it reaches 40 percent.
The Ministry of Health confirmed today, “Iraq has recorded more than 10 isolated infections in a number of the country’s governorates, but the governorate most affected by the disease is southern Dhi Qar, while three deaths from the disease were recorded.”
The Ministry’s spokesman, Saif Al-Badr, said in a statement to the official agency, followed by “Elaf”, that “the role of the Ministry of Health is to diagnose cases early and provide the required health service, in addition to education and awareness regarding this disease,” stressing the importance of “early detection of the disease, as it is very dangerous and can cause death by a percentage. It reaches 40% in the event of delays in reviewing health institutions, stressing the readiness of the ministry’s institutions to deal with such cases of infectious diseases.
Hemorrhagic fever risks
He explained that “hemorrhagic fever is an endemic viral disease due to infection with the (Crimean-Congo fever) virus, as it is present not only in Iraq but in the region in general, and limited infections are recorded annually for decades and may lead to deaths,” noting that “this disease is one of the diseases. What is common between animals and humans, meaning that the disease life cycle passes through several stages, including its transmission from an infected animal to a human, directly or indirectly, during its life or following its slaughter.
He added that “the people most affected by the disease are livestock breeders such as cows, sheep, goats and others, as well as workers in butcher shops (butchers)…”, noting that “this does not mean that other groups cannot be infected, but rather the groups that are most in contact with the animal during its breeding, transportation and trading, or following Slaughtering them are more likely to get infected.”
Iraqi health specialists conduct awareness campaigns to warn and prevent hemorrhagic fever (Ministry of Health)
Transmission of infection.. and no medicine
The health official pointed out that “the most common means of transmission of the disease is through an insect vector, which is the tick, which sticks to the skin of livestock and can transmit the disease,” explaining that “this disease that is transmitted to humans can cause infection to another person through contact. The relative with the patient or the patient’s equipment.
Al-Badr stressed “the necessity of caution to achieve prevention from this disease,” stressing “there is no vaccine for this disease for humans or animals.” He pointed out that “animal health is one of the responsibilities of the Veterinary Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, as there are measures to prevent infection and treat animals through Dipping it in certain chemical solutions that kill this tick, in addition to other measures.”
Symptoms of the disease
And Al-Badr indicated that “the initial symptoms of the disease are fever and sporadic pain in the body, and abdominal pain may be recorded,” explaining that “when the disease develops at a later stage, it may reach bleeding from body openings such as the eye, ear or nose, in addition to serious complications that may It can lead to kidney failure, liver failure, and failure of several organs in the body, and it may lead to death.”
Prevention recommendations
Al-Badr stated that “the recommendations for prevention are to pay attention to the rules of public safety, that is, the general health rules, especially the personal hygiene of livestock breeders, to pay attention to the symptoms mentioned and to review the health institutions if they appear.”
And he recommended “the necessity of buying meat from licensed butcher shops that are committed to health procedures.
The official indicated that “the Ministry of Health is following up the issue accurately and on a daily basis under the direct supervision of the Minister of Health, as he sent a high-level delegation to Dhi Qar Governorate, where several measures were taken in advance with the local government in the governorate, ministries and other bodies.”
Direct awareness campaigns
For its part, the Department of Health Promotion in the Department of Public Health launched an awareness campaign regarding hemorrhagic fever disease yesterday in areas in Baghdad, where the campaign included a field tour to butcher shops and meat sellers to introduce the danger of hemorrhagic fever and the reasons for its spread, including the importance of adhering to the instructions and instructions in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health.
A set of folders, health messages and illustrated instructions for the disease and how to prevent it have been distributed.
In terms of confronting the Corona pandemic, Iraq recorded today, Monday, 161 new infections and two deaths, while the number of people who received the vaccine during the past 24 hours reached 18 thousand and 109 citizens.. This brings the number of people infected with the virus since its appearance in Iraq on February 24, 2020, two million and 324 thousand And 384 injured, while the deaths amounted to 25,207 deaths.
