Morocco is grappling with a rapidly escalating measles outbreak, having reported more than 19,500 cases since October 2023. Health Minister Amine Tahraoui shared these alarming figures during a parliamentary session on December 30, revealing an incidence rate of 52.5 cases per 100,000 people.
The outbreak has resulted in 107 deaths, which accounts for 0.55% of the total reported cases. Of particular concern, half of the fatalities have been children under 12, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of younger populations amid this health crisis.
Initially emerging in the Souss-Massa region last year, the outbreak has since spread across the country, prompting urgent responses from health authorities. Minister Tahraoui linked the resurgence of measles to a significant decline in vaccination rates, a direct consequence of the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The suspension and delay of immunization campaigns during the pandemic have left large gaps in immunity, allowing for the disease to spread more easily.
“The only effective solution to eradicate measles is widespread vaccination,” Minister Tahraoui emphasized, pointing to post-pandemic vaccine hesitancy as a key challenge in the ongoing fight against the disease.
In an effort to curb the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has launched an ambitious national vaccination campaign. This includes a focused catch-up program for children who missed their vaccines, as well as an enhanced surveillance system designed to detect and contain new cases swiftly. To date, the Ministry has screened over six million children across the country, with 38% receiving their necessary catch-up vaccinations by December 20, 2024.
The Moroccan government’s vaccination push is critical not only to stop the spread of measles but also to rebuild trust in public health initiatives. However, health officials continue to face significant challenges in preventing further deaths and managing the ongoing outbreak, with authorities urging the public to prioritize immunization as the key to halting the epidemic.