This study intends to report the first emergence of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Iraq, in addition to describing its related clinical signs. In August 2013, 21 cases of four outbreaks developed clinical signs suggestive of LSD in the Nineveh (Mosul) and Baghdad Governorates, which were considered as the first infected foci of LSD in Iraq. The disease was diagnosed tentatively, on the basis of clinical signs and epidemiological features, and it was confirmed as positive by the polymerase chain reaction and histopathological features. In September 2013, eight new outbreaks of LSD also appeared in Baghdad and Nineveh. In 2014, the disease spread rapidly to the governorates of Kirkuk, Salah Al-Din, Al-Anbar, Diyala, Wasit, Babil, Karbala, Najaf, Al-Diwaniyah, Muthanna, Maysan, DhiQar and Basra. The total number of infected cows and calves reported was 7396 and 227, respectively. The apparent morbidity and mortality rates were 9.11% and 0.51%, respectively, while the apparent case-fatality rate was 5.56%. Skin nodules, anorexia, reduce in milk production and decrease in bodyweight were the common clinical signs. Moreover, myiasis and mastitis were seen as complications in some infected animals. Attempts were made to stop the distribution of the disease including quarantine and treatment, control over animal movement and arthropod control. Ring vaccination was used in a 10 km radius zone around the outbreak with live sheep pox vaccine. The highly contagious transboundary nature of the LSD, its endemic distribution in the Iraqi neighbouring countries, and the current armed conflict in the area were the possible factors for the disease being introduced into the country. LSD had spread through the Middle East and Gulf peninsula and could be a cause of danger to the rest of Asia and Europe. International precaution, cooperation and exchange of information could guarantee the prevention and further spread of the disease to the rest of Asia and Europe.

From 1977 to 1986 at the Ahmadu Bello University Hospital in Zaria, the diagnosis of empyema thoracis was made in 150 children representing 0.35% of all paediatric admissions. Empyema was a complication of pneumonia in 98 of 100 cases reviewed, of whom 70 were 3 years old or younger. There was no sex or side preference. Fifty-nine patients were severely ill on admission, with a mean symptom duration of 21 days. In many of them, anaemia, protein-energy malnutrition, measles and gastro-enteritis were present as associated illnesses. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent bacterial isolate (39%), of which 83% of the cultures were sensitive to cloxacillin. Adequate rehydration, systemic antibiotics and tube thoracostomy drainage performed in 80 patients were more successful than repeated needle aspiration. Fourteen of the children died, six absconded and 80 were discharged home.

In a period of 16 years, 22 boys whose ages ranged from 10 months to 15 years were treated for stones occurring predominantly in the lower urinary tract. These boys represented 9.6/100,000 paediatric admissions, indicating the rarity of urinary stones in children in Zaria. Congenital obstructing lesions were present in 13 (59%) and the urine was infected in eight cases, most frequently by Klebsiella spp.

A total of fourty-five cases of traumatic- reticulo- peritonitis in cows (16 cows ill for 24-48 hrs and 29 cows ill for 72-120 hrs). in Baghdad were diagnosed clinically, laboratory and autopical findings. The most valuable diagnostic signs were increased rectal temperature (39.9 C), respiratory rates (36/min.) and heart beats (95/min.), decreased in milk production (100.00 %), ruminal atony (95.56%), abdominal pain (93.33%), disturbed appetite (91.11%), decrease manure production (84.44%) and recurrent tympany (84. 44%). The total and differential leucocyte counts provided good diagnostic and prognostic data. The determination of total plasma protein and fibrinogen were used as aids to the diagnosis of traumatic reticulo-peritonitis in this study.