Morocco's Mpox Strategy: A Model for Effective Health Response

Saturday 17 August 2024 - 09:00

Morocco's Health Minister convened a pivotal meeting with experts to evaluate the nation's response to the mpox outbreak, following the World Health Organization's global emergency declaration.

In alignment with royal directives, Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb led discussions with the scientific committee on August 16. The focus was on Morocco’s proactive measures and the latest epidemiological developments both nationally and globally.

The committee reviewed the country’s effective epidemiological monitoring system, which has successfully facilitated the early detection and swift intervention of imported cases. Minister Ait Taleb emphasized the importance of strengthening this system in line with WHO recommendations.

The meeting highlighted Morocco's therapeutic protocol for mpox, stressing strict adherence to treatment procedures and ensuring the availability of medical supplies to uphold high health safety standards. The committee lauded the protocol’s success, noting the absence of severe health complications in treated cases.

Efforts to enhance public awareness were also discussed, focusing on preventive advice to curb infection spread. The minister underscored the need for robust communication with health sector actors to ensure coordinated and immediate responses to any epidemiological changes.

Minister Ait Taleb reaffirmed the Ministry's dedication to collaborating with national and international partners to safeguard public health and contain the epidemic.

This meeting followed WHO's declaration of mpox's rapid spread in Africa as a global health emergency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” with over 14,000 cases reported worldwide this year, including 524 deaths.

Since June 2022, Morocco's proactive plan has detected five cases, primarily imported, with no secondary infections. The cases were mild and resolved without complications.

The Ministry urged citizens to remain vigilant and adhere to health guidelines, relying on official sources for information.