Morocco confirms first monkeypox case after global outbreak

Morocco's Ministry of Health and Social Protection confirmed a case of monkeypox (mpox) in the southern city of Marrakech on Thursday, as reported by the official MAP news agency. This is the first recorded case in Morocco during the current global outbreak.

The ministry stated that the patient is in stable condition and is receiving the necessary medical care. Isolation and monitoring protocols have been implemented in accordance with both national and international health guidelines.

Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to trace any individuals who may have come into contact with the patient, although no symptoms have been observed in these contacts thus far.

The ministry also urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information to avoid the spread of rumours and misinformation. Additionally, it advised citizens to follow preventive measures such as regular hand washing, avoiding direct contact with infected or potentially infected individuals, and maintaining good personal hygiene.

Morocco previously reported its first mpox cases in 2022. Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which has two main clades, clade 1b and clade 2b. It can spread to humans through physical contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or animals.

On 14 August, the World Health Organization declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of international concern, highlighting the emergence of a more dangerous variant, clade 1b, first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2023.