Iraq - Unconfirmed reports regarding Ebola cases in Mosul

[Gert van der Hoek]

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2014

First Ebola cases in Mosul


4:33 AM ADMIN

Nineveh/ Iraq TradeLink: Health sources in Mosul hospital reported the first cases of Ebola disease among Da'ish members in the province.

The sources added that the cases were among Da'ish gunmen of African origins.

They warned of spreading the disease in Mosul city and then to other Iraqi provinces.

According to world statistics, the number of infected people reached to 16.000 persons, where 7000
died of this disease.

No confirmation was given by Baghdad health authorities.


Posted in: Nineveh,Variety

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

NATIONAL
URGENT: Two Ebola cases confirmed in Mosul

December 31, 2014 by Abdelhak Mamoun No Comments

​

(IraqiNews.com) On Wednesday, an official newspaper revealed, that two Ebola cases and 26 AIDS cases have been reported and registered in Mosul.

The Iraqi official newspaper ?Al-Sabah? said in its today?s issue, ?Many diseases and epidemics have spread among residents of the city of Mosul,? and added, ?Two Ebola and 26 HIV AIDS cases were registered.?

The newspaper quoted medical sources in the city,?These diseases moved to Nineveh by terrorists and expats from different countries, especially Africa.?

On November 23, 2014, the Parliamentary Committee of Health and Environment warned from the entry of the Ebola into Iraq by the Islamic State (IS), while confirming that the Commission had taken the necessary measures to prevent the entry and spread of this disease in the country.

http://www.iraqinews.com/features/ur...nfirmed-mosul/

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Cases of Ebola recorded in Iraq

• Wednesday, 31 December 2014 09:28

Shafaq News / A medical source in Mosul hospital revealed diagnosing the infection with Ebola virus of elements belonging to ISIS.

The Ebola virus (EVD) or Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) is a human diseases that occur due to infection with the virus.

The symptoms usually begin to appear after two days to three weeks of HIV infection, represented by fever, sore throat, muscle aches and headache. Usually followed by nausea, vomiting , diarrhea, accompanying with decline in liver function and kidney. Some people begin with exposure to the problems of bleeding at this stage.

There are four places can be distinguished by Ebola virus which are south of Sudan, Zaire, Gabon and Ivory Coast. fever spread in these areas. And about 50% to 90% of patients of Ebola fever die.

The source, who asked not to be identified told “Shafaq News", that “the cases were recorded on foreign fighters of African descent.

The medical source warned from the spread of the disease within the city of Mosul and its transmission to other Iraqi cities.

http://www.english.shafaaq.com/index...corded-in-iraq

 

[sharon sanders]

From Al-Sabah newspaper



12/31/2014 0:00

BAGHDAD - morning Tariq al-Ali Mowaffak ​

revealed health information from inside Mosul, said in a statement singled out the "morning" for the spread of many diseases and epidemics among the inhabitants of the city, certain recording two goals disease "Ebola" dangerous, as well as 26 cases with HIV, "AIDS "indicating that these diseases moved to Nineveh by terrorists and arrivals from several countries, especially Africa. ​

This comes at a time when managed through the security forces and the heroes of the popular crowd cleared the container area south of the city of Tikrit, as well as control of the four villages belonging to the hand Mutassim Southeast Samarra, while the leadership of the Islamic Resistance Movement "League of the Righteous," Sheikh Hassan Salem said that the next stop in the liberation of Salahuddin province, a series will be SHIRQAT spend. ​

In Anbar, the police and security forces killed al-Anbar province sniper "Daashaa" in the city Haouz as well About 26 others from "Daash" and cut off their supply western Anbar ways.​

http://www.alsabaah.iq/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=83690

machine translation

 

[sharon sanders]

There is a question about how reliable these reports are, and basically, we have no idea, hence the title of the thread. Thanks Gert.

Iraq and Mosul are unstable. Any news is suspect. There are many conflicting factions there. We will monitor the situation and post here.

 

[alert]

I have two issues with this report. First, I don't think there is laboratory capability to detect Ebola (by PCR?) in Iraq. I think the best they might be able to determine is that a patient has a hemorrhagic fever of unknown origin, by blood counts, and there are at least a few more common hemorrhagic fevers in Iraq. Secondly, there may be strong political motivations for a false report, blaming one group or another for spreading Ebola. After all, the reports are connecting the Ebola cases to 26 HIV/AIDS cases, something that might seem scary locally, but wouldn't be that surprising or concerning.

If this report is correct, it's an absolute disaster, though.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Ebola in Iraq, in Mosul 3 jihadists Isis have contracted virus

Written by FTH | TMNews -

Rome, December 31 (Askanews) - The Ebola also affects men of the "Caliph" Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Three jihadists of the Islamic State (Isis) would contract the Ebola virus in the Iraqi city of Mosul.

The news came this morning from the capital of Nineveh province, a stronghold of the Caliphate black, through a local doctor quoted by the pan-Arab daily "Al Quds al Arabi".

"In hospitals al Salam and Jamhoury Mosul were recorded three cases of infection with Ebola virus," said the doctor Akram Mahmoud, adding that "all three elements are infected Isis".

The same doctor has therefore launched an appeal: "We warn all the inhabitants of Mosul by the spread of infections throughout a city."

computertranslation - https://it.notizie.yahoo.com/ebola-iraq-mosul-3-jihadisti-isis-hanno-contratto-150115228.html

 

[sharon sanders]

• Ian M Mackay, PhD ‏@MackayIM 9h9 hours ago
  @HaertlG Any buzz re: Iraq & Ebola hit the WHO yet?
  
  ​
• Gregory H?rtl ‏@HaertlG 5h5 hours ago
  .@MackayIM We are following up on the reports. #Ebola #Iraq​

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Health Ministry denies registration disease Ebola injuries in Mosul

Date: 12/31/2014 14:14
Information / special / ..

denied the Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, reports that indicated the registration disease Ebola infections in the province of Mosul, indicating that the diagnostic capacity in Mosul will enable them to diagnose injuries.

The ministry's spokesman, Ahmed Rudaini told / information / that " diagnostic capabilities of the disease Ebola there is only in the capital, Baghdad laboratory of the Central Public Health. "

He added Rudaini that "reports that indicated registration disease Ebola infections in the province of Nineveh is incorrect and unfounded in addition to the health of Nineveh alternative administration in Dohuk did not send any suspected cases . "

The official newspaper "morning" revealed on Wednesday, recording two goals disease "Ebola" and 26 injured disease "AIDS" in Mosul. Finished / 25


http://www.almaalomah.com/news/7188/وزارة-الصحة-تنفي-تسجيل-اصابات-بمرض-

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Iraqi media says ISIS militants have contracted Ebola

dec 31 2014

Reports that Islamic State militants in Mosul have contracted Ebola swirled though Iraqi media sources on Wednesday. World Health Organization officials said they haven't confirmed the cases, but the organization has reached out to offer assistance.

Three outlets reported that Ebola showed up at a hospital in Mosul, a city 250 miles north of Baghdad that's been under ISIS control since June 2014. The reports, however, have perpetuated mostly in pro-government and Kurdish media.

"We have no official notification from [the Iraqi government] that it is Ebola," Christy Feig, WHO's director of communications told Mashable.

Feig added that WHO is in the process of reaching out to government officials in Iraq to see if they need help investigating the cases, a task that could be a challenge, given the restrictions that would come with operating in ISIS-controlled territory.

It's unclear if any disease experts or doctors in Mosul are even able to test for the Ebola virus. A Kurdish official, who was convinced the cases are Ebola, told the Kurdish media outlet Xendan that the militants' symptoms were similar to those of the Ebola virus.

While ISIS has recruited foreign fighters, very few of them — if any at all — are believed to have traveled from West Africa.

The majority of the Islamic State's African fighters came from Tunisia, according to a Washington Post report. Others came from Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Sudan and Somalia — none of which reported any Ebola cases in 2014.

If the cases in Mosul turn out to be Ebola — a scenario that, at this point, seems highly unlikely — it would mark the first time the virus had been detected in an area controlled by ISIS, a group that doesn't embrace science and modern medicine.

More: http://mashable.com/2014/12/31/isis-...c-state-ebola/

 

[alert]

ProMED today has picked up the story in its Ebola summary, and raises the possibility of malaria. It is not clear to me, even, that anyone is actually ill at all:

Published Date: 2014-12-31 20:33:54
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Ebola virus disease - ex Africa (59): cost of outbreak, IMF, susp. cases
Archive Number: 20141231.3065139

[snip]

Iraq: This brief report does not state whether or how the Ebola cases have been confirmed, and whether they are being treated at a hospital in Iraq. We await further news on confirmation of the etiology and the condition of the individuals, and information on their country of origin prior to entering Iraq. It is more likely that these Ebola "cases" are malaria relapses.

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Security and Policy 01/01/2015 16:33 GMT

Mosul doctors declare 5 injuries disease Ebola in Mosul

BAGHDAD - and babysit - "doctors humpback" group announced injuring five gunmen from the terrorist gangs Daash disease Ebola virus, indicating that the races of this disease, which was diagnosed are among the most dangerous and deadliest.

According to a statement issued by the group and the news agency public opinion has received a copy of it, that "the doctors belonging to bring us together and working in hospitals Republican and peace diagnosed 5 infected with Ebola between terrorist Daash guerrilla fighters disease, noting that" perhaps the races this disease that has been diagnosed and is the Ebola Zaire virus and Sudan Ebola virus of the most dangerous races this disease and Avckha, with a fatality incidence of this disease, the rate of 50%, according to World Health Organization statistics. "

The statement added: "We call on the sons of our province failure propagation mixing with strangers, wear gloves and wash your hands constantly, especially for workers in hospitals in the province

M.a

http://alrayy.com/130288.htm

 

[alert]

http://www.ibtimes.com/officials-ref...-mosul-1771792

Officials Refute Iraqi Media Reports That ISIS Members Have Contracted Ebola In Mosul

The two biggest news stories of 2014 collided Wednesday when Iraqi media outlets reported that members of the Islamic State group -- also known as ISIS -- had contracted the deadly virus Ebola. But later updates from the World Health Organization and Iraq's Ministry of Health indicate the stories may be just rumors.
"We have no official notification ... that it is Ebola," Christy Feig, director of communications for WHO, told Mashable, though WHO has contacted Iraqi officials to offer help.
Iraq's Ministry of Health also denied that anyone in Mosul had contracted the Ebola virus, which broke out in March in West Africa. Spokesman Ahmed Rudaini told news site Al-Maalomah that Mosul doesn't even have the technological capability to diagnose Ebola cases -- only Baghdad does. Therefore, he said, the reports that Ebola has infected anyone in Mosul are "incorrect" and "unfounded."

[snip]

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Ebola invades Daash areas of influence

Science and Technology
Since 18 minutes

The World Health Organization has announced that it will open an investigation into press reports indicated the presence of cases of Ebola in areas under the control of state regulation in Iraq.

A spokesman for the organization Christie Vaag The reports published in the Iraqi government newspapers indicate that Daash may need help the organization in the face of the Ebola virus, but he added that the organization has not yet been any confirmation from the Iraqi government received that there are already cases of "Ebola" in this areas.

Several media outlets reported that the Ebola virus spread in the city of Mosul, which is controlled by the organization because of "terrorists coming from African countries."

Although none of these reports have not been ascertained yet, but the WHO pointed out that if the news is true, these results would be disastrous for the region, especially in light of the lack of doctors in areas controlled by the organization and its rejection of modern medicine.

On the other hand, it was reported, citing an official in the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Mosul, that the organization of the state's oldest ornaments burning the bodies of five militants belonging to him because of doubts infected with plague, pointing out that the epidemic diseases have become a threat to the connector.

http://www.almasdar-tech.com/technology/74106.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Plague? appears in Mosul and ?Daash? burn corpses

Source:BAGHDAD agencies
History:January 2, 2015

Caused the administration failed to organize Daash in the civilian side, except for the military setbacks, the signs of health disasters in Mosul, with reports confirming the spread of diseases in which, including the plague and the resort of regulation to burn the bodies of its members suspected their deaths as a result of the disease.

Revealed media official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Mosul, happy Mmousine, for the organization Daash burn the bodies of the five elements of skepticism infected with the plague, pointing out that the infectious disease began to spread significantly in the city.

Cremation

Mmousine said that the organization ?burned the bodies of five of its elements in a hospital in Mosul to doubt infected with plague?, indicating that ?the cremation was a measure to curb the spread of the disease?.

He added that ?there is information we received indicates that the spread of the bodies and the contamination of water and food caused the spread of disease plague?, adding that ?has referred more than 200 people yesterday to hospitals in Mosul because of water pollution, after running out of supplies disinfectant?.

The newspaper ?morning? the official, yesterday reported for the registration of two cases of illness ?Ebola? as well as the 26 infected with ?AIDS? in Mosul, and an Iraqi doctor earlier revealed that the health departments in the province of Nineveh, recorded three virus infections ?Ebola?, noting that these three belong to al Daash.

Denied ?Ebola?

However, the Iraqi Health Ministry denied news injuries ?Ebola?, confirming that it is just ?rumors?. A spokesman for the ministry said Ahmed Rudaini ?Ebola virus could reach the area in the world, including Mosul, but there is no diagnostic capabilities to detect this virus?. Rudaini He added that he ?has not been any injury Register or suspected case of the virus so far

http://www.albayan.ae/one-world/arabs/2015-01-02-1.2279192

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Health denies entry of international organizations for the connector to detect the "Ebola"

Date: 04/01/2015 15:07

Information / special / ..

denied the Ministry of Health, Sunday, entry of international organizations to Nineveh province to detect the presence of an epidemic, "Ebola" killer there, also denied the existence of injuries or suspected cases in Mosul.

He said ministry spokesman Ahmed Rudaini Agency / information /, The "The ministry is in the process of preparing to bring machines and mechanisms for the detection of Ebola disease in the coming days will arrive in Iraq," denying "the existence of medical possibility in Mosul that can diagnose Ebola there."

He added that "our own sources there in the hospital denies the existence of Ebola in Mosul, asking," How diagnosed with the disease there if you do not have the equipment and mechanisms? ".

He denied Rudaini the presence of suspected cases in Mosul, "explaining that" talking about entering organizations universal connector Health to search for Ebola is unrealistic and we Nnfah, strange to say, "How organizations to enter the center of criminal gangs do not unforgiving anyone ?, this is unrealistic, "a 25 .anthy

http://www.almaalomah.com/news/7510/الصحة-تنفي-دخول-منظمات-عالمية-للموصل-

 

[alert]

I fear ISIS just executed five people for no reason....

http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/04012015

ISIS cracks down on five confirmed Ebola cases among fighters: official

[snip]

BAGHDAD, Iraq ? The Islamic State (ISIS) incinerated the corpses of five militants who were suspected of contracting Ebola, an Iraqi health official indicated.

Faisal Ghazi, member of the Health Committee in Iraq?s council of ministries, said the five were incinerated in Mosul, the ISIS stronghold in Iraq.

?The Islamic State organization incinerated five militants infected with Ebola to prevent further spread of the disease in Mosul,? he said.

?ISIS had proof that these militants were infected with Ebola,? he added, without giving details of whether the fighters died of the disease or were killed and incinerated by the group.

The UN?s World Health Organization (WHO) had been investigating cases of Ebola in Mosul, following reports that some militants with Ebola symptoms had reported to a hospital in the city.

ISIS volunteers have poured into Iraq and Syria from around the world, including countries in Africa.
----------------

I am not familiar with this source. ProMED carried this report as well, noting:

[It is unfortunate that there is no information on how these 5 individuals were confirmed to have Ebola so that there would be more confidence in the report. If true, there are serious implications for the region. - Mod.LK]

[It is highly unlikely that ISIS had access to a qualified Ebola diagnostic lab. Rudaw is "a Kurdish media network funded and supported by Rudaw Company. The network aims to impart news and information about Kurdistan and the Middle East in a professional manner. Those interested in Kurdistan and the Kurdish cause can follow the latest developments in the region in both Kurdish and English through Rudaw's multiple platforms." - Mod.JW]

 

[sharon sanders]

From: WorldHealthOrganizationNews@who.int
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: WHO statement: NO EBOLA CASES DETECTED IN IRAQ
Date: Jan 6, 2015 7:50 AM [TABLE="class: msgbody, border: 0, cellpadding: 0, cellspacing: 0"]
[TR]
[TD]

NO EBOLA CASES DETECTED IN IRAQ​

Baghdad, Iraq (05 January, 2015) - The Ministry of Health in Iraq, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), confirms that there is no suspected case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Iraq as of January 5[SUP]th[/SUP] 2015.

On 31 December, 2014, Al-Sabah newspaper, Shafaq news agency and Rudaw online newspaper reported a rumor of EVD cases in Mosul, Ninewa governorate. The news was also relayed through other media agencies in and outside of Iraq.

Following this rumor, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization investigated the allegations through existing surveillance networks, as well as through contacts with health authorities and medical sources in Ibn Sina Hospital in Mosul. All sources contacted have negated the existence of any suspected cases of Ebola. The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization further confirmed that the laboratory facilities in Mosul do not have the necessary capabilities to diagnose and confirm the Ebola Virus.

The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization remain vigilant and have scaled up surveillance efforts to ensure early detection and safe management of any eventual suspected EVD cases in the country. All necessary precautionary measures are being taken to ensure that effective preventive programmes are in place and that the people of Iraq are provided with all affordable support in case any EVD case is detected. The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health have taken the following actions:

• Assessments of international entry points have been conducted jointly between the Ministry of Health, WHO experts and Health Cluster partners. It included international crossings and entry points like the International airports and ports.
• The Ministry of Health together with WHO are finalizing the implementation of the assessment mission?s recommendations with a focus on strengthening the EBV preparedness and readiness measures.
• The surveillance efforts have been scaled up at all health facilities to ensure that any imported or suspected cases are promptly detected.
• A contingency and response plan is currently under development.
• Instructions have been issued to all governorate Directorates of Health (DOH) to be vigilant at points of entry.
• Regular information exchange between WHO and MOH on the status of the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and in other affected countries is on-going.
• Recommendations were made to DOHs and other health authorities to reactivate taskforces at the Governorate levels for any eventualities.
• Communication materials and awareness raising messages were developed, and will be disseminated to all local media outlets and channels.

[TABLE="border: 1, cellpadding: 0, cellspacing: 0, width: 661"]
[TR]
[TD]Facts about EBOLA

• Ebola virus disease; also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, or Ebola, is a disease of humans and other primates caused by Ebola virus. It is a highly infectious disease which presents with extremely high fever and bleeding tendencies. It is very infectious; and can be fatal within a short time but can easily be prevented.

• Signs and symptoms typically start between two days and three weeks after someone contracts the virus. It presents with extremely high fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headache. Usually followed by vomiting, diarrhea and rash, along with decreased function of the liver and kidneys. Some people may bleed both internally and externally.

• Ebola can kill between 25 percent and 90 percent of those infected with the virus, averaging out at 50 percent. This is often due to low blood pressure from fluid loss, and typically follows six to sixteen days after symptoms appear.

• Ebola virus disease spreads by direct contact with body fluids, such as blood, saliva and sweat of an infected human or animals, and with a recently contaminated item or surface. Ebola does not spread through air between primates and humans. Semen or breast milk of a person infected with Ebola virus disease may still carry the virus for several weeks to months even after recovery.

• Other diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, meningitis and other viral hemorrhagic fevers may have symptoms that resemble those of Ebola virus disease. Blood samples to confirm the diagnosis of the disease.

• There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Ebola, although a number of potential treatments are being studied. Efforts to help those who are infected are supportive; mainly through oral rehydration therapy (drinking slightly sweetened and salty water) or giving intravenous fluids and treating symptoms.

• The largest outbreak to date is the ongoing epidemic in West Africa, which is centered in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. As of 31 December 2014, this outbreak has 20,416 reported cases resulting in 8,004 deaths.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Ziad Tariq Ali
Ministry of Health - Iraq
Mobile: +964 7809285820
Email: drziadtariq@yahoo.com

Dr. Bisalinkumi, Ezechiel
World Health Organization - Iraq
Mobile: +964 7809161459
Email: bisalinkumie@who.int

Dr Ahmed ZOUITEN
World Health Organization - Iraq
Mobile: +9641010452
Email: zouitena@who.int

Ms Pauline Ajello
World Health Organization - Iraq
Mobile: +9647809288618
Email: ajellopa@who.int[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[alert]

It was pretty clear all along that the reports of Ebola in Mosul were incorrect. What is not clear from any of the reports is the true situation. I can think of three, perhaps equally likely possibilities at this point:

1. The report is a complete fabrication, perhaps for military or political purposes.

2. Several people died of an undiagnosed illness, and the local media jumped on Ebola as a possible diagnosis to bring attention. If so, they still haven't succeeded in identifying that illness, that could range from anything to malaria to another hemorrhagic fever to MERS to even H1N1 or H5N1.

3. ISIS executed several foreigners based on some wild suspicion that they might be carrying Ebola.

None of the articles have done anything to exclude any of these possibilities. The WHO article denies Ebola cases. It doesn't deny the entire incident.