Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Researchers from KU Leuven have detected a high concentration of the measles virus in Brussels’ sewage water. According to Elke Wollants, a lab manager at the Rega Institute, the detected virus is genotype B3, a strain linked to Morocco.
The concentration of the virus peaked on March 11. However, Belgium’s health institute Vivalis has recorded only 18 measles cases in Brussels this year. “This is likely an underestimation,” Wollants noted. She also explained that this type of measles has a high viral load in patient samples, which may affect the results.
Morocco has been experiencing an alarming rise in measles cases and related deaths in recent months. The country reported around 20,000 cases since October 2023, resulting in the death of over 107 people, half of whom were children under 12.
The outbreak mainly affected schools and prison institutions across the country.
Wollants warned that the virus is spreading across Europe, with the Netherlands recording 45 cases in just two weeks. “Spain and France are also struggling,” she said.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported 551 measles cases in Belgium from February 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Only Romania, Italy, and Germany had more cases during that period.
Measles can be deadly, particularly for children. Symptoms include red rashes starting behind the ears, high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, cough, and a runny nose. The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or brain infections.
Wollants urged people to check their vaccination records through old vaccination cards or their doctor’s records.
To address the outbreak, Moroccan authorities have introduced several initiatives, such as opening up vaccination for adults, expanding their previous campaign that only targeted children under 18.
In addition, the ministries of health and education require students diagnosed with contagious diseases, including measles, to be temporarily excluded from school.
