Morocco confirms first mpox case in current outbreak

Morocco has confirmed its first case of mpox in the current outbreak, with a man in Marrakech testing positive for the virus, according to the health ministry. This marks the first reported case in Morocco since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern last month, due to the rapid spread of a new variant of mpox in Central Africa. The specific variant involved in the Moroccan case has not yet been disclosed.

Topic: Morocco confirms first mpox case in current outbreak Article Rewrite: Morocco has confirmed its first case of mpox in the current outbreak, with a man in Marrakech testing positive for the virus, according to the health ministry. This marks the first reported case in Morocco since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern last month, due to the rapid spread of a new variant of mpox in Central Africa. The specific variant involved in the Moroccan case has not yet been disclosed. The man is receiving treatment and is in stable condition, while authorities are tracing and monitoring his contacts. As of Thursday, none of his contacts had shown any symptoms. Mpox primarily spreads through close contact with an infected person or by touching contaminated objects like bedding or clothing. While the infection typically lasts between 14 to 21 days and often resolves on its own, it can be fatal in vulnerable groups, such as small children. Severe cases can lead to widespread lesions, particularly affecting the mouth, eyes, and genitals. The WHO has emphasized the need for international cooperation to combat the outbreak, which has seen over 20,000 cases and 500 deaths across 14 African countries in 2024. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the hardest-hit nation, reporting over 5,000 cases this year. Although vaccines have been deployed to DR Congo, logistical issues may delay their arrival in the most affected regions for several weeks.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the urgency of a coordinated global response to stop the spread of mpox and save lives. ⚡ Image Credit: GettyImages