Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Health announced today that a monkeypox (mpox) case has been confirmed in Marrakech.
This is the first case reported in Morocco amidst the new global outbreak that has been widely reported.
The patient is being treated with the necessary medical care at a specialized medical center in Marrakech and is in stable condition.
“The patient is receiving appropriate medical care according to established health procedures and is under close medical observation to ensure stability,” the ministry said in the statement, adding that the case was confirmed as part of health protocols in place since the onset of the global health alert.
Health isolation and monitoring measures have been implemented in accordance with national and international health standards, the ministry added.
The ministry further detailed that the national and regional public health emergency operations centers, along with rapid response teams, began epidemiological investigations to identify all contacts of the patient immediately upon receiving the laboratory results for the confirmed case.
The investigation aims to monitor and take preventive measures to prevent the virus’ spread.
No symptoms have been observed in these contacts so far, the ministry added.
The health ministry also confirmed in the statement that “it will continue to communicate with the national public and provide regular updates on the epidemiological situation, as it has since the beginning of this global health alert.”
To avoid spreading rumors or unverified information, the ministry urged citizens to only rely on official sources for accurate updates.
“Citizens are also advised to adhere to recommended preventive measures, such as regular hand washing, avoiding direct contact with infected or suspected individuals, and maintaining personal hygiene,” the statement concluded.
In August, an official source from the ministry reassured citizens that there have been no new cases of mpox in Morocco for months since the new wave started. The statement came as the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the Africa CDC, declared monkeypox as a public health emergency.
In 2022, Morocco detected a few cases of monkeypox. The virus was first discovered in the 50s, and cases in humans were recorded in the 80s.
The symptoms of mpox include fever, intense headache, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rash or lesions.
