Increase in Measles Cases: The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has reported a significant rise in measles (Bouhmaroun) cases across several regions in Morocco, according to a recent report detailing the distribution of infections by area and age group.
Mohamed El Youbi, Director of the Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Control, stated that the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region recorded the highest infection rates, followed by the Fes-Meknes region, then Rabat and Kenitra. Meanwhile, the Casablanca-Settat region and certain areas in Marrakech-Safi recorded relatively lower rates.
The report indicated that infections span various age groups, including infants under nine months—before receiving their first vaccine dose—along with children aged between nine and 17 months, those between 12 and 36 years old, and even adults over 30.
Data revealed that the majority of cases were concentrated in two main categories: children between 18 months and 12 years and young people between 12 and 36 years. Meanwhile, infection rates were lower among infants and the elderly.
Regarding fatalities, the report disclosed that 42% of recorded deaths occurred among children under five, while individuals over 37 years old accounted for approximately 24% of total deaths.
El Youbi emphasized that most fatalities were recorded among unvaccinated individuals, reinforcing the critical importance of vaccination as a preventive measure that could have significantly reduced these human losses.
