Morocco is witnessing a significant increase in the risk of a measles outbreak, known locally as « Bouhmron, » following the end of school holidays. This surge raises serious health and social concerns, mainly due to increased population movement, which facilitates virus transmission.
According to Dr. Taib Hamdi, a health policy researcher, the return of students to classrooms is expected to accelerate the spread of the disease. While the epidemic might have slowed during the holidays, interactions in schools will likely trigger a resurgence, spreading the infection among families and the wider community.
Experts warn that insufficient herd immunity could result in continuous waves of outbreaks, endangering children’s lives and placing a strain on the healthcare system and economy. Researchers stress that vaccination rates must exceed 95% to curb the spread, a goal Morocco has yet to achieve.
To address this crisis, several measures are recommended:
- Emergency vaccination campaigns targeting all children under 18 to reach a 95% coverage rate.
- Promoting sustainable vaccination programs beyond temporary campaigns.
- Resuming immunization against other childhood diseases such as whooping cough, diphtheria, and polio.
- Raising awareness among adults born after 1980 who have never been vaccinated against measles.
- Implementing mandatory vaccination against severe childhood diseases.
Enhancing Health Preparedness
This outbreak raises concerns about Morocco’s ability to manage epidemics. Strengthening epidemiological surveillance and increasing vaccination rates are crucial to preventing future health crises. Dr. Hamdi has urged an investigation into the decline in vaccination rates, examining factors such as the impact of COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, and healthcare resource limitations.
Morocco faces a major challenge: rebuilding collective immunity to safeguard public health. Strengthening vaccination programs and epidemic monitoring are key to preventing another health crisis.
