ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Kurdistan Region on Friday reported its fourth case of hemorrhagic fever: A 29-year-old man from Ranya.

The man is a livestock breeder and had direct contact with infected animals, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region’s health ministry. He has since been hospitalized and is currently in stable condition, the statement added.

The ministry urged all citizens to follow the issued guidelines, noting that this is the fourth recorded case of hemorrhagic fever across the Kurdistan Region, with only one fatality reported thus far.

Hemorrhagic fever is an infectious viral disease often transmitted from animals to humans, with symptoms that can range from mild to severe and potentially life-threatening. Those working closely with animals face an elevated risk of infection.

The Kurdistan Region’s first fatality due to the fever was recorded on May 10. The deceased was a 45-year-old woman from Duhok’s Amedi district.

Around 100 hemorrhagic cases have been recorded across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including at least 13 deaths, since the most recent outbreak of the deadly fever. Dhi Qar province has thusfar borne the brunt of the fatal disease with 29 confirmed cases, according to the latest toll by the Iraqi health ministry.