Iraq environment minister's Tigris fish HIV remarks prompt official rebuttal

Iraqi Environment Minister Sirwa Abdul Wahid's televised warning of HIV-linked contamination in Tigris fish has drawn denials from two ministries.

• Abdul Wahid said hospital waste, including blood of possibly HIV-positive patients, is dumped into the Tigris untreated, making her cautious about eating its fish.
• The Environment Ministry said linking HIV transmission to eating river fish is scientifically inaccurate.
• The Health Ministry denied medical waste is discharged into rivers, saying facilities treat liquid and solid waste under approved mechanisms.
• The World Health Organization says HIV does not transmit through food or water, only specific bodily fluids.