Iraqi PM allocates 1 billion dinars to combat Congo fever

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has allocated 1 billion Iraqi dinars to combat the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, also known as Congo fever, the spokesperson of the country's agricultural ministry said on Saturday.

Kadhimi has allocated one billion dinars to "veterinary departments, in order to purchase pesticides and support the campaign to address hemorrhagic fever and reduce its effects," state media quoted ministry spokesperson Hamid al-Nayef as saying. 

The measure comes as part of a series of joint efforts by Iraq's health and interior ministries, with the departments having formed joint committees to prevent the spread of the virus.

Nayef clarified that "the role of the Ministry of Interior is important in following up on livestock breeding, which is abundant in slums," while the health ministry is "focused on treating the 100 infected and 18 deaths," adding that most of the infected have left the hospital.

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is tick-borne and causes severe hemorrhaging. It appeared in Iraq years ago, before disappearing. Recently, the fever has resurfaced and has sparked serious concerns among locals, especially in Iraq's southern provinces.

People are often infected after coming into contact with the blood of infected animals, often after slaughtering livestock.

Nayef further called on citizens to only buy meat from licensed butcheries.

The disease has a fatality rate of up to 40 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and no vaccine is available for either people or animals.

The infection can also be transmitted through "close contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected persons," the WHO said.   

The southern province of Dhi Qar is widely regarded as the source of the disease in Iraq, and has the highest number of infections. The area is known for rearing cattle, sheep, and goats, all of which are potential disease carriers.

Signs of the infection include bleeding, excessive headaches, fatigue, blue marks on the skin, and hematuria – blood in the urine – amongst others.