On Tuesday, Matin Barwari, spokesperson for the General Directorate of Health in Duhok Governorate, confirmed three new cases of hemorrhagic fever in the region.

The infected individuals, all from Bardarash district, are reported to be in stable condition, according to Barwari. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of hemorrhagic fever in the Kurdistan Region to 11.

Hemorrhagic fever is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by a range of viruses. While there is no known cure, the disease can vary in severity, with some cases proving mild and others more dangerous. According to The Johns Hopkins University, the Ebola virus is one of the most common and severe types of hemorrhagic viruses. Other related diseases include Dengue, Lassa Fever, Marburg, and Yellow Fever.

Causes and Transmission

Hemorrhagic fever is caused by viruses from four groups: Arenaviruses, Filoviruses, Bunyaviruses, and Flaviviruses. These viruses often reside in animals such as rodents or insects like mosquitoes and ticks. Humans can become infected through contact with these animals, their fluids, or by being bitten by infected insects.

In some cases, the disease can spread from person to person through direct contact with an infected individual's bodily fluids. The virus may also be transmitted through the crushing of an infected tick.

Health authorities, including the Mayo Clinic and the American Foundation, classify viral hemorrhagic fevers as infectious diseases, emphasizing the importance of avoiding contact with potential carriers such as mosquitoes, ticks, rodents, and bats. The recent rise in cases has prompted health officials to urge the public to take precautions to prevent further infections.