Rabat – The US Embassy in Morocco issued a Level 2 travel advisory regarding a “small diphtheria outbreak with clusters in multiple regions” in Morocco.
The October 15 advisory recalls Morocco reporting a small diphtheria outbreak with clusters in the Souss-Massa region.
The US Embassy recalls that most Americans were vaccinated as children and have received Td or Tdap boosters as adults, acknowledging that the risk to US citizens in Morocco remains low.
However, it warned that US citizens may contact their local doctors if they would like immunizations, urging them to check their vaccination records and their family members’ records.
It also urged citizens to receive a booster if they need one, recalling that adults need a diphtheria booster every 10 years.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that spreads from person to person through sneezing and coughing.
The infection is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
In September, Morocco’s Ministry of Health reported two limited family clusters of diphtheria in the Souss-Massa region, saying that tests confirmed one case. Eight cases were under investigation, including two deaths.
The ministry said the children concerned had either not been vaccinated or had not completed their vaccination doses.
In October, the ministry urged all families to check whether their children had received all required vaccine doses.
The ministry stressed that vaccines included in the National Immunization Program are available free of charge at health centers.
