IRAQ – The Iraqi Red Crescent Society, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a public health awareness campaign on spotting the signs and symptoms of hemorrhagic fever.

With support from the World Health Organization, the Iraqi Red Crescent Society has intensified its efforts to prevent, contain, and mitigate the impact of hemorrhagic fever in the central and southern governorates.

In a press statement, the Director of the Health Department of the IRCS, Dr. Ali Al-Moussawi said: “The IRCS is continuing its awareness campaign for visitors throughout the days of pilgrimage to the shrine of Husayn in Karbala, Iraq.”

In the first six months of 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Health has reported more than 377 cases of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in all governorates of the country.

Iraq continues to report an uptick in Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, raising concerns about how effectively the Iraqi Government can control the current outbreak.

Hemorrhagic fever is a highly viral disease caused by a virus carried by ticks belonging to the family of Bunyaviruses or transmitted through meat.

The virus is transmitted from animal to human through the bite of a tick or direct contact with the blood and tissues of infected animals during slaughter.

Bearing in mind, the highest number of hemorrhagic fever infections was recorded in Dhi Qar Governorate, followed by Basra, Maysan, Al-Rusafa side of Baghdad, Al-Muthanna, Wasit, Babil, and Al-Karkh side of Baghdad.

Through the newly launched public awareness campaign, the IRCS seeks to assist both residents and visitors in the affected governorates, including Basra, Dhi Qar, Al-Muthanna, Diwaniyah, Wasit, Babylon, Najaf, and Diyala governorates.

The Iraqi Red Crescent Society has tapped more than 250 male and female volunteers from the central and southern governorates to participate in the implementation of the awareness campaign.

The nationwide health awareness campaign kick-started with an emphasis on increasing understanding of the causes of hemorrhagic fever.

“As part of the campaign, volunteers are conducting field meetings with visitors, distributing informational folders and posters, and providing personal protective equipment to the owners of Husseini processions,” stated Dr. Ali Al-Moussawi.

The symptoms of the disease are high body temperatures, nausea and vomiting, general pain in various parts of the body, and sometimes bleeding in the mouth, eyes, and ears.

Additionally, the campaign will focus on the prevention measures people can take to prevent the spread of hemorrhagic fever within an integrated program.

The launch of this volunteer-led initiative comes as part of the IRCS efforts and its continuous endeavor to limit the spread of communicable and epidemic diseases.

The initiative aims to enhance community health awareness as large crowds of people from all over Iraq and from neighboring countries are traveling on foot to commemorate the Arbaeeniya anniversary of Imam Hussein.

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