Health officials stated that the affected children had either not been vaccinated against diphtheria or had not completed the recommended vaccination schedule. In response, the ministry activated its epidemiological response protocol. Rapid response teams from the Souss-Massa Territorial Health Group are investigating the clusters, searching for additional cases, and identifying close contacts. Preventive antibiotics and vaccinations are being provided to identified contacts, which include the victims’ mother, two siblings, and another family member. The university hospital has been placed on alert, and its medical staff have been vaccinated.
Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a physician and researcher in health policies and systems, noted that the primary danger lies not in the bacterium itself, but in the ability of certain strains to produce a toxin that can damage internal organs. The respiratory form of the disease is considered the most dangerous. Symptoms include a sore throat, mild-to-high fever, coughing, and swelling of the neck or lymph nodes. A characteristic thick, gray or white coating, or adherent membrane, can form in the back of the throat, potentially obstructing breathing if it extends into the airways. Other symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing.
Complications arising from the infection can be severe, including airway obstruction, inflammation of the heart muscle, and nerve damage that may lead to paralysis. While the disease can also affect the skin, resulting in a generally less severe form, the respiratory variant poses the greatest risk to mortality. Dr. Hamdi emphasized that Morocco had not recorded diphtheria for more than 20 years, making even a single confirmed case a significant shift in the country’s epidemiological situation. He highlighted the need for vigilance, citing recent outbreaks in other African nations, including Mauritania and Algeria, as well as cases reported in Europe, particularly among migrant populations.
The ministry has urged families to check their children’s vaccination records and complete any outstanding doses immediately. Public health authorities also advised families to visit the nearest health facility if suspected symptoms appear. The current investigation aims to determine the full scope of transmission within the identified clusters and to ensure that all close contacts are monitored and protected through prophylactic treatment.
The next phase of the response involves the completion of laboratory tests for the eight unconfirmed cases to establish the total number of infections. Health authorities will continue to monitor the Souss-Massa region for new cases and assess the effectiveness of the preventive antibiotic and vaccination campaigns deployed by the territorial health groups.
