This document discusses bio-threat diseases and priorities for disease prevention, detection, and response in Iraq. It notes that according to the WHO, the top zoonotic diseases of concern in Iraq are rabies, hemorrhagic fevers, and anthrax. It also mentions that the Iraq MOH is prioritizing surveillance for diseases like brucellosis, and that the MOA conducts passive surveillance of animal diseases. Finally, it provides statistics on the spread of diseases from animals to humans, such as that 60% of existing human infectious diseases and at least 70% of emerging diseases originate in animals.

1. Bio-threats Diseases
Lec 2
College of nursing / postgraduate program
Master level
Elective / 2nd semester / 2022-2023
Zahid J.M. Ph.D. (Assistant prof. in Biology – Biochemistry)

3. Government of Iraq Priorities for Disease
Prevention, Detection, and Response
o According to the WHO Joint External Evaluation of IHR Core Capacities of
the Republic of Iraq (2019), the zoonotic diseases of greatest national public
health concern currently present in Iraq are rabies, hemorrhagic fevers, and
anthrax
o The Iraq MOH is also prioritizing case-based surveillance for pathogens such
as brucellosis
o The MOA is conducting passive disease surveillance and monitoring for key
animal diseases, including zoonotic diseases
o The animal health service is responsible for conducting animal disease
diagnosis and surveillance

4.  60% of existing human infectious diseases are zoonotic
 At least 70% of emerging infectious diseases of humans
(including Ebola, HIV, and influenza) have an animal origin
 5 new human diseases appear every year. Three are of
animal origin.
 80% of agents with potential bioterrorist use are zoonotic
pathogens

9. How do germs spread between animals
and people?