Iraqi health expert urges rapid response as Crimean-Congo fever cases rise

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A public health and epidemic specialist in Iraq is calling for faster field intervention and stronger surveillance to contain the spread of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. Mohammed al-Juburi said the detection of new cases does not mean the situation is out of control, but that health and inspection readiness must be raised across all cities. Al-Juburi urged stronger field screening, the provision of protective equipment to health and veterinary workers, and public awareness campaigns on how the virus is transmitted. He stressed that oversight of animal movement, livestock markets and slaughter areas is central to controlling the disease, and called for regular tick-control campaigns and barn disinfection. He said coordination between the Health, Agriculture and Interior ministries and local authorities needs to improve, and that diagnostic laboratory capacity should be reinforced to isolate cases quickly. The Agriculture Ministry said it has set up an operations room to track infections and has conducted on-site visits to veterinary hospitals in Wasit and Dhi Qar. The Health Ministry reported 145 confirmed cases and nine deaths from the disease since the start of the year. No further details on additional measures were immediately available.