Tangier: the increase in measles cases worries

Measles is spreading in a manner described as dangerous in certain neighborhoods of Tangier, affecting both children and adults. According to information published by Al Akhbar in its edition of Thursday, December 26, the disease, previously limited to children, now also affects adults.

Faced with this situation, some infected families were asked to self-isolate as part of the first measures taken to try to contain the spread. It appears that measles initially spread from certain villages in the provinces of Tetouan and Chaouen before reaching Tangier.

Sources told the daily that dozens of patients recently flocked to the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Tangier. Meanwhile, health authorities persist in their silence in the face of this increasingly alarming situation, particularly due to the spread among children in certain neighborhoods of the city.

Unlike the provincial services of the Ministry of Health, which maintain strict discretion on this matter, the National Education services have taken measures by sending circular notes to their establishments to report any suspected cases of infection among students.

According to Al Akhbarmeasles, “which is transmitted rapidly among children, raises fears of increased spread in a context marked by unfavorable health and environmental conditions”. This situation calls for an urgent response, including awareness and vaccination campaigns, particularly in areas where vaccination operations have been insufficient in recent years.

The daily also highlights a worrying shortage of drugs needed to treat measles, such as vitamin A, which is now unavailable in health centers due to high demand linked to the increase in cases.

In addition, diagnosed patients have their telephone number recorded and receive strict instructions to remain confined at home. In short, the situation is becoming alarming, especially since Tangier was recently the scene of another health crisis linked to tuberculosis.

Finally, Al Akhbar recalls that this issue was raised in Parliament during an oral question session. MPs from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) alerted the Minister of Health to the extent of measles, particularly in the province of Chaouen, which has been seriously affected in recent months.