Baghdad- Iraq is witnessing a rise in cases of cholera and hemorrhagic fever, as cholera cases exceeded 400 cases, while hemorrhagic fever cases exceeded 190 cases, and 26 deaths occurred during the current year. On the other hand, the health authorities intensified their efforts to control the situation through broad awareness campaigns and providing appropriate treatment, stressing that they have the ability and experience to confront these diseases, calling on the media to intensify their efforts in spreading health culture and awareness.
Iraqi Health confirmed – through its spokesman, Dr. Saif Al-Badr, on October 14 – that deaths and infections from hemorrhagic fever during the current year amounted to 185 cases and 26 deaths, distributed according to the following: “In Dhi Qar Governorate: 40 cases and 6 deaths, as for Nineveh: 26 cases and 7 deaths, Basra: 18 cases, Baghdad/Al-Rusafa: 17 cases and 4 deaths, Wasit: 14 cases and one death, Babylon: 9 cases and one death, and Baghdad/Al-Karkh: 8 cases.
He continued: “In Maysan: 8 infections and two deaths, Diyala: 7 infections and one death, Erbil: 7 infections, Muthanna: 6 infections, Dohuk: 5 infections and one death, Kirkuk: 4 infections and one death, Najaf: 4 infections.” Diwaniyah: 4 injuries and two deaths, Karbala: 3 injuries, Sulaymaniyah: 3 injuries, Salah al-Din: two injuries, Anbar: none.
Al-Badr also confirmed that “cholera infections exceeded 400 cases, with 119 cases recorded in Sulaymaniyah Governorate and 109 in Kirkuk, while Diyala Governorate recorded 107 cases.”
Hemorrhagic fever is considered an endemic disease in Iraq, as the first case was diagnosed in the country in 1979, and since that date infections have been recorded in a number of Iraqi governorates at controlled rates, according to Iraqi Health.
The disease is a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. It is transmitted from an infected person or from a tick as a vector. It is not transmitted through eating well-cooked meat.
As for cholera, it is an infectious intestinal disease caused by strains of the “Vibrio cholerae” bacterium. The bacterium is transmitted to humans through the patient’s stool or urine, or to other people, or with food or drink.
Messages from the Ministry of Health
The spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Health confirmed that cholera cases in Iraq have exceeded 400 cases during the current year, noting that most of these cases were simple to moderate and were treated successfully. The largest number of cases was recorded in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, followed by Kirkuk, then Diyala, and finally Baghdad.
Al-Badr explained – in an interview with Al Jazeera Net – that no deaths resulting from cholera were recorded this year, adding that this disease is considered endemic in many countries of the world, including Iraq and countries in the region.
Regarding hemorrhagic fever, Al-Badr reported that the number of confirmed infections had exceeded 190 cases, and 26 deaths, indicating that infections and deaths were largely concentrated in Dhi Qar Governorate for the second year in a row.
Regarding the national ability to confront these diseases, Al-Badr stressed that the Ministry has the experience and full capacity to diagnose these diseases and deal with them effectively, noting that medical care has been provided to all affected cases.
Regarding health awareness programs, Al-Badr indicated that the Ministry has circulated dozens and perhaps hundreds of awareness messages through various media, including text messages, designs, videos, and cartoons. The Ministry has tried to deliver these messages to the largest possible number of citizens, despite the media’s response to Media dissemination of these messages was mixed.
Al-Badr called on the media to intensify their efforts in spreading culture and health awareness regarding these and other diseases, stressing the importance of cooperation between the government and media sectors in confronting health challenges.
Threat to life
Dr. Miriam Youssef said that the secret to surviving cholera lies in early treatment and quickly replacing lost fluids. She explained that the severe diarrhea and vomiting that accompany the disease can lead to severe dehydration and failure of vital organs if they are not treated immediately.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Dr. Miriam Youssef said that the cholera treatment protocol depends mainly on:
- Fluid replacement: Giving oral rehydration solution (ORS) to replace lost fluids and salts, which is the optimal treatment in most cases.
- Intravenous therapy: In severe cases, doctors resort to giving fluids intravenously to compensate for severe and rapid loss.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be used to reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea, but they are not necessary in all cases.
- Zinc supplements: especially for children, as they contribute to reducing the duration of diarrhea and improving the healing process.
Dr. Youssef stressed the importance of maintaining personal hygiene and drinking clean water to prevent disease and limit its spread.
Regarding hemorrhagic fever, Dr. Miriam Youssef explained that it is usually transmitted through insect bites or direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
She pointed out that the symptoms of hemorrhagic fever include high fever, muscle and joint pain, bleeding from the nose or gums, in addition to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in some cases, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and immediate treatment to avoid serious complications.
To prevent hemorrhagic fever, Dr. Youssef advised avoiding insect bites, avoiding direct contact with infected animals, and maintaining personal hygiene, stressing the importance of community awareness of the dangers of these diseases and how to prevent them.