Morocco Remains Vigilant Against Mpox Despite Months Without New Cases
While Morocco hasn’t seen a new case of Mpox in months, the nation’s health officials are taking proactive steps to maintain vigilance and preparedness in the face of the global health threat.
Following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the Mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2023, Morocco’s Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Ait Taleb, issued an urgent directive to regional and provincial health officials. This directive emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach, urging health officials to work closely with public and private healthcare facilities and relevant local authorities.
The directive outlines updated surveillance and monitoring procedures, building on the existing response plan implemented in 2022. These updated procedures focus on early case identification, treatment protocols, and reporting pathways. The goal is to swiftly identify and manage any imported cases, preventing the disease’s spread within Morocco.
These proactive measures are a continuation of Morocco’s ongoing efforts to combat Mpox. In June 2022, the country implemented a national preparedness plan that enabled the detection of five imported cases by March 2024. All cases were mild, did not result in further transmission, and all individuals fully recovered without complications.
Despite the absence of new cases for several months, Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection remains committed to closely monitoring the global Mpox situation. The country has updated its national Mpox surveillance and response plan based on the evolving global situation, advancements in understanding the disease, and WHO recommendations.
This proactive approach, characterized by early preparedness, robust surveillance, and a commitment to international collaboration, demonstrates Morocco’s dedication to safeguarding public health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
For more information on Mpox, please visit the World Health Organization website: https://www.who.int/
