Just Kidding...

It was reported on Thursday, October 11th that a few sheep and cattle about 300km outside Baghdad were displaying odd symptoms that might have been indicative of infection by Rift Valley Fever Virus. These animals were immediately tested by veterinary experts and possible confirmation of one case was announced. However, it was announced today that the cases of mortality in the livestock were not due to Rift Valley Fever, but instead were attributed to hemorrhagic septicemia. It is thought that recent cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that are endemic to the area may have played a role in the clinical recognition, identification, and faulty diagnosis mainly because livestock with FMD, as well as livestock with RVF, die from infarction and myocarditis.