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Rabat – The Moroccan government is ramping up efforts to combat a measles outbreak.
Government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas detailed the measures being implemented to curb the spread of the disease during a press briefing following the weekly Government Council meeting in Rabat.
A key component of the government’s response is a robust surveillance and monitoring system, headquartered at the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (COUSP) and extending across 12 provincial emergency health centers. This system provides real-time data on the outbreak, enabling swift and effective interventions.
To boost immunization rates, the government launched a national “catch-up vaccination campaign against measles and other preventable diseases on October 28, 2024. The campaign, which is designed to provide adults with vaccines they didn’t receive as children, has since been extended to ensure broader coverage among the target population.
Additionally, a comprehensive communication initiative is underway to raise public awareness about the importance of vaccination. The campaign specifically targets key groups, including parents and guardians, teachers, healthcare professionals, and public authorities.
The Ministry of Health is coordinating closely with the Ministry of National Education as well as the Ministry of the Interior, to oversee the vaccination process for children under 18. Measures have been put in place to ensure the timely vaccination of individuals who have been in contact with measles patients.
Baitas called on all actors, including parents, civil society organizations, businesses, and media outlets, to contribute to the national efforts in combating the outbreak. He stressed the importance of addressing misinformation and rumors that undermine public confidence in vaccines.
“Attention should be given to the widespread misinformation that scares citizens about vaccination efforts, as it often generalizes isolated cases, particularly regarding side effects, which are generally limited and normal for any medication,” Baitas stated, noting that “vaccination is the best way to combat such diseases.”
Morocco has been experiencing an “unusual” outbreak of measles, locally known as “Bouhmaroun,” with 25,000 cases and 120 deaths recorded among the public since September 2023.
According to Mohamed El Youbi, Director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Department at the Ministry of Health, the current measles spread in Morocco qualifies as an epidemic.
The government continues to urge vigilance and cooperation to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.
