Afghanistan recorded 483 suspected cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and 21 deaths in June 2026, a 174.4% increase from May, with the World Health Organization (WHO) linking the surge to livestock contact and animal slaughter during Eid al-Adha.
The WHO said the June total increased from 176 suspected cases and nine deaths recorded in May.
The report said: “A total of 483 suspected cases of CCHF with 21 associated deaths (monthly CFR 4.3%) were reported compared to 176 cases and nine deaths reported in May.”
The agency linked the sharp rise to activities during the Muslim festival.
“The surge is likely attributable to the Eid ul-Adha period, during which increased exposure to livestock and animal slaughtering activities elevates the risk of transmission,” the report said.
CCHF is mainly spread through tick bites or contact with infected animal blood and tissue. The WHO said farmers, slaughterhouse workers, veterinarians and healthcare workers face the highest risk. There is no widely available vaccine.
Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks. The WHO estimates that 14.4 million people will require health assistance in 2026. Reduced funding led to the closure of more than 422 health facilities in 2025, limiting access to care for around three million people.
The June report recorded 956 suspected CCHF cases and 46 deaths since January.
The Taliban authorities had not commented on the June figures at the time of publication. However, the Ministry of Public Health had earlier trained healthcare workers and launched prevention campaigns ahead of Eid.
Georgia and Uzbekistan are aiming to nearly quadruple annual trade to $1 billion, up from $267.6 million in 2025, as the two countries seek to stre...
Iran has warned against the military use of Starlink, saying it has developed domestic technology capable of countering cyber threats linked to the...
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of blaming Kabul for its domestic political and security problems, as Islamabad repeated claims that militants are...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Georgia and Uzbekistan are aiming to nearly quadruple annual trade to $1 billion, up from $267.6 million in 2025, as the two countries seek to strengthen economic ties and expand transport links.
Iran has warned against the military use of Starlink, saying it has developed domestic technology capable of countering cyber threats linked to the satellite internet service.
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of blaming Kabul for its domestic political and security problems, as Islamabad repeated claims that militants are using Afghan territory to launch attacks across the border.
Pakistan has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to crack down on militants operating from Afghan territory, warning that cross-border attacks pose a growing threat to regional security.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to remain resilient after a wave of Houthi missile and drone attacks killed around 20 people at Riyadh's main airport, raising concerns over the kingdom's air defences and disrupting flights across the region.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment