ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region’s first case of the Crimean-Congo fever this year has been recorded in Erbil province’s town of Koya, the health ministry announced on Friday.
The infected person is a 42-year-old butcher from Koya. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Erbil and his condition is stable, said Sarkar Surchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a highly contagious virus that can be transmitted to humans through several routes, including contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals, bites from infected ticks, direct exposure to bodily fluids of infected individuals, and consumption of raw or undercooked meat from infected livestock. It is frequently fatal with severe symptoms including internal bleeding, coma, and multi-organ failure.
The disease, endemic in Iraq, has seen a resurgence in the country since 2021. At least 22 cases have been reported nationwide so far this year, with three deaths.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) introduced precautionary measures last month to prevent spread of the disease.
