Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Measles Outbreak in Morocco

January 31, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Morocco is currently experiencing a concerning increase in measles cases, prompting health authorities to implement a nationwide response and urging citizens to exercise caution. Mohamed El Youbi, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, has called for immediate measures to address the disease’s rapid spread.

During an online conference hosted by the National Observatory for Child Rights and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, El Youbi highlighted the alarming rise in cases. He noted that individuals of all ages are at risk, with a notable increase in measles cases since September 2023. Health officials received a warning on October 14, 2023, regarding suspected cases in Agadir, where paediatricians at a university hospital identified children exhibiting measles-like symptoms, later confirmed through tests. The outbreak escalated quickly, resulting in 138 confirmed cases within a month, some of which led to severe complications and one fatality. Investigations revealed that the outbreak had begun weeks earlier, with many infected individuals not seeking medical attention or reporting their symptoms. Low vaccination rates have contributed to the virus’s spread, with recent statistics indicating 25,000 measles cases and 120 deaths.

The regions most impacted include Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, and Fez-Meknes, while Rabat-Sale and Casablanca-Settat have reported fewer cases. El Youbi emphasized that the outbreak has affected all age groups, including infants under nine months who have not yet received vaccinations. The highest incidence is among children aged 18 months to 11 years, followed by those aged 9 to 17 months and adults over 37. Among the fatalities, 44 were children under five, 13 were between 5 and 11 years, and seven were adolescents. Additionally, 16 deaths occurred in individuals aged 18 to 36, while 25 fatalities involved those over 37. El Youbi attributed the outbreak to declining vaccination rates, asserting that the crisis was preventable. He urged Morocco to prioritize immunization efforts to protect future generations.

Experts from pediatric associations throughout Morocco shared insights on the national immunization policy, diagnostic methods, clinical outcomes, and global measles trends.

In 1987, Morocco recorded its highest number of infections. The revamping of Morocco’s national vaccination program that year represented a watershed moment, with instances steadily declining. Authorities intensified vaccination efforts and introduced a second dose in schools in 2002. Campaigns in 2013 and 2014 pushed coverage beyond 95%, allowing Morocco to align with the global effort to eliminate measles. Since 2013, the government reported less than four instances annually which led some to conclude that Morocco was on the verge of eliminating the illness until shown otherwise.