Development and evaluation of an antigen targeting lateral flow test for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever.

Background: Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate of 5-25% that has been prioritised for research and development by the World Health Organisation. There are no CCHF rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) commercially available. We describe the development and evaluation of an antigen-targeting lateral flow immunoassay RDT for CCHF.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Iraq.

Background: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most common tick-borne viral disease worldwide. Its incidence has increased rapidly in the Eastern Mediterranean countries and has been endemic in Iraq since it was first identified in 1979.

Aim: To describe the sociodemographic, epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of CCHF patients in Iraq.

A retrospective study of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Iraq.

Background: CCHF is transmitted via ticks biting and directly by contact with tissue or blood of infected patients or viremic animals. This study intends to determine the occurrence of CCHF in Iraq between 2015 and 2019.

Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study.

Large outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Iraq, 2022.

Background: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is reported sporadically in Iraq. The lack of preventive veterinary activities during 2 years of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (2020 and 2021) led to the largest CCHF outbreak in Iraq since 1979.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of CCHF cases that occurred during the first half of 2022 in Iraq in terms of age, sex, residence, history of contact with another case, and history of contact with animals.

Iraq experience in handling the COVID-19 pandemic: implications of public health challenges and lessons learned for future epidemic preparedness planning.

Background: Iraq has been exceptionally challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the already exhausted healthcare system.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in Iraq, the government's response to the pandemic, and provide recommendations for further action.

Methods: A desk review of secondary data using the available reports on the epidemiological situation in Iraq as well as official governmental sources was conducted.