Morocco records six measles deaths in one week

Morocco is facing a severe measles outbreak, with six deaths and over 3,000 new cases reported in just one week, according to Hespress, citing data from the country’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

The outbreak, which began in 2023, has already claimed more than 125 lives, according to government reports. Children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of severe complications from the disease.

The Rabat region has been particularly affected, recording three deaths and 807 new infections between February 10 and February 16. However, the actual number of cases may be significantly higher due to the rapid spread of the virus.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), measles is one of the most contagious diseases, with a single infected person capable of transmitting the virus to 90% of close contacts. The disease spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Despite the availability of vaccines, measles remains a global health threat. The WHO reports that over 105,000 people died from measles in 2023. Efforts to control the disease have been hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted healthcare access and led to declining vaccination rates worldwide. Additionally, rising vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation has contributed to the resurgence of the disease.

The measles outbreak is not limited to Morocco. The United States, which has a 90% measles vaccination rate, is also experiencing a surge in cases. An outbreak in Texas has been spreading rapidly to neighboring states, with ABC News reporting 48 confirmed cases across the U.S. as of last Friday.

Health experts in the U.S. have voiced concerns that vaccine reluctance may worsen following the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, as the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Experts fear that this could further undermine public confidence in immunization efforts and lead to more measles outbreaks.