Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Health reported two limited family clusters of diphtheria in the Souss-Massa region.
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection identified as serious by health institutions. The infection is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
The ministry said tests confirmed one case, while eight other cases are under investigation, including two deaths.
The children concerned had either not been vaccinated or had not completed their vaccination doses, the ministry said, urging families to check their children’s vaccination records and complete any outstanding doses.
The ministry also urged families to also visit the nearest health facility if suspected symptoms appear.
The symptoms include sore throat and mild-to-high fever, swollen glands or lymph nodes in the neck, and a thick, gray or white coating in the back of the throat that can block breathing.
The symptoms also include weakness, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing.
Complications caused by the disease include airway obstruction, heart muscle inflammation, and nerve damage that could lead to paralysis.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned against rising diphtheria outbreaks across this African region, revealing serious gaps in routine immunization coverage.
WHO warns that those who are not immunized or under-immunized are at risk of the disease, stating that diphtheria can be fatal in around 30% of cases for unvaccinated individuals or those without proper immunization.
Children are at higher risk of dying.
“In 2025, an estimated 85% of infants (110 million) worldwide received the recommended 3 doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine, leaving 15% (nearly 20 million) with no or incomplete coverage. There is wide coverage variation between and within countries,” according to WHO.
Only 83 countries have all three WHO-recommended diphtheria toxoid-containing booster doses in their national immunization programmes, and 42 countries have no boosters at all, the organization added.
