After several years of mastery, the measles is coming back in force, causing a global health crisis which is not sparing Morocco. Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection, recently sounded the alarm about the spread of this disease. Since its reappearance in October 2023 in the Souss-Massa region, 19,515 new cases have been recorded, or 52.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The number of deaths due to measles complications during this period was 107, representing a mortality rate of 0.55%. Unfortunately, more than half of the deaths involve children under the age of 12.
Decline in vaccination coverage, the main factor in resurgence
The resurgence of measles is linked to a decline in vaccination coverage, exacerbated by the suspension of health services and reduced surveillance activities during the measles pandemic. Covid-19according to theWorld Health Organization (WHO). The latter also warns that with low vaccination coverage favoring the spread of the virus, no country escapes the threat of epidemics. To stem this crisis, experts insist on the urgency of strengthening vaccination programs and ensuring that each child receives the two doses necessary to protect themselves effectively. “Measles is a serious viral disease.
In 2023, it will affect more than 10 million people worldwide (+20% compared to 2022) and cause 100,000 deaths, mainly among infants and young children, while some survivors suffer serious complications, such as blindness. or encephalitis…”, declared to the newspaper “Le Matin” Dr Tayeb Hamdidoctor and researcher in health policies and systems. And added that “an unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated child is highly exposed to catching the disease. Moreover, the recent outbreak of several outbreaks of measles cases, with cases of death among affected children, is linked to a drop in vaccination coverage of children and a drop in the level of epidemiological surveillance of such diseases. “.
A vaccination coverage less than 95% exposes the population to continuous epidemics, explains the specialist. However, no region in Morocco currently reaches this critical threshold, according to the Ministry of Health. “Rates in some areas are far below this figure. Laxity in vaccination and epidemiological surveillance. The region of Béni Mellal-Khénifra was affected in early 2023, the region of Souss-Massa in September 2023, then recently the region of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima», deplores Dr Hamdi. “The in-depth analysis of the causes of this laxity, the adherence of families to catch-up programs, the mobilization of the services of the Ministry of Health and social protection, the mobilization of all health professionals and the resumption of epidemiological surveillance in due form by the ministry are essential conditions to protect our children, their lives and the entire population,” he continues. The doctor also indicates that Morocco, once exemplary in terms of vaccination, must analyze the specific causes of this generalized under-vaccination. “Vaccine hesitancy and the Covid-19 pandemic partly explain this situation. However, it is essential to understand, on a national scale, the real reasons for this relaxation in a country known for its success in the fight against target diseases in children.
Action plan of the Ministry of Health
To curb the spread of measles and prevent infections, the ministry has designed a strategic plan that focuses on increasing vaccination coverage beyond 95% through the systematic administration of the two necessary doses of vaccine. at 9 and 18 months. This plan provides for catch-up campaigns particularly targeting children born between 2020 and 2023 who have not received their doses of vaccine. It also includes strengthening the epidemiological surveillance system to ensure rapid detection of cases and early intervention.
To maximize the impact of these measures, the ministry mobilized the National Public Health Emergency Operations Center (CNOUSP) and the 12 regional health emergency centers. In partnership with the Ministries of National Education and the Interior, a vast national campaign was launched on October 28, 2024 to assess the vaccination status of children under 18 years old. This operation, initially planned for four weeks, is currently continuing and has been extended to allow a greater number of beneficiaries to be vaccinated. Dr Said Afifpresident of the Association “InfoVac-Maroc», partner of the campaign, announces that a dedicated contact number will soon be set up to facilitate access to information and help regarding this operation.
Misinformation, underreporting and immune debts
However, Dr Afif points to several ongoing challenges, such as misinformation on social media, as well as under-reporting of cases in some areas, as well as immune debts due to insufficient vaccination coverage in previous years. The doctor insists, in this sense, on the importance of the commitment of families in this campaign, emphasizing the need for a new dynamic of awareness to encourage parents to vaccinate their children, in order to increase the rate of immunization against the epidemic. He also highlights the involvement of the Moroccan Pediatric Society, which works directly with families in clinics, notably by checking children’s vaccination records.
To strengthen this mobilization, Dr Afif calls for the participation of pharmacists and education professionals, in order to disseminate the vaccination message more widely and generate greater support from families, particularly in schools.
In conclusion, the specialist recalls that vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent measles. In this regard, he mentions the exceptional campaign led by Morocco in 2013, during which 11 million people aged 9 months to 19 years were vaccinated, without any epidemic occurring during the following ten years.
Everything you need to know about measles
• Transmission of the virus: Measles is a very contagious disease: a sick child can contaminate 16 to 20 other people around them through breathing, coughing, or sneezing, and indirectly through hands and surfaces soiled by the virus. virus.
• Symptoms: Fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough, depression, irritability, then appearance of a red rash all over the body.
• The groups most at risk of serious forms and death: Children under 5 years old, adults over 30 years old, pregnant women, malnourished children and people with diseases weakening the immune system.
