Morocco has confirmed its first case of mpox during the current outbreak, the health ministry announced, marking a significant moment since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global public health emergency.
The patient, a man in Marrakech, is in stable condition and receiving treatment, though authorities have not yet revealed which variant of the virus he has contracted.
The WHO had raised alarms last month following the rapid spread of a new variant of the virus in central Africa.
The Moroccan health ministry is taking immediate measures, closely tracing and monitoring the man’s contacts. Fortunately, none of those traced have shown symptoms so far, according to a statement issued on Thursday afternoon.
Mpox is known to spread through close personal contact or contact with contaminated items such as clothing and bedding, making containment efforts crucial in preventing further transmission.
With more than 20,000 cases and 500 deaths reported across Africa this year, Morocco’s case underscores the urgency of a coordinated international response, as urged by WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Vaccines have been deployed to heavily affected countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, but logistical delays mean they are still out of reach in some areas.
In severe cases, mpox can cause lesions across the body, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children, and can be fatal.
