Morocco: Drop in measles cases after vaccination campaign

On March 4^th the Moroccan Ministry of Health announced a steady decrease in reported numbers of new measles cases, for 5 weeks in a row.

According to Morocco World News, this was due to the country’s ongoing efforts to limit the spread of the disease.

Between February 24th and March 2nd, case numbers dropped by 13%, with 2,481 cases recorded.

In the previous week, measles cases had a 14.9% decrease, with 2,863 reported cases.

“This notable improvement is the result of the great efforts made by healthcare professionals in all regions of the Kingdom, effective coordination among all stakeholders, and increased citizen participation in catch-up vaccination campaigns, as part of the national vaccination status verification campaign,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.

To further combat measles, the Moroccan ministry said it will be extending their current vaccination campaign until March 28th, in order to ensure all families can access important vaccines.

“Despite the remarkable decrease in the number of cases recorded nationwide, vigilance remains crucial,” the ministry went on to say, drawing attention to disparities between provinces in vaccination coverage.

The Moroccan ministry also announced its decision to extend the vaccination campaign until March 28, to ensure that all families have access to essential vaccines.

They also asked that citizens engage in national efforts to stop the spread of measles, emphasizing the importance of vaccinations to prevent the disease and its associated complications.

In December 2024 Morocco recorded 19,515 cases of measles since October 2023.The outbreak was in part attributed to the rise of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

Symptoms of Measles typically include high fevers, a red rash, and coughing. Some cases of measles can result in serious illness, blindness and death, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children and the elderly.

Morocco World News, Maghrebi, NHS UK