Story Summary:
- Morocco has reported its first case of mpox in Marrakesh, marking the initial instance in North Africa since the WHO declared an international emergency last month.
- The patient, a 32-year-old from Marrakesh, is undergoing treatment at a specialised medical centre and is reported to be in stable condition, with no symptoms observed in close contacts.
- The Africa CDC reveals that 15 African Union member states have now reported mpox cases, with the majority concentrated in Central Africa, and highlights that 26,544 cases and 724 deaths have been documented this year.
Morocco has confirmed its first case of mpox in the tourist city of Marrakesh, marking the first instance in North Africa since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an international emergency last month, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In a statement on Thursday, the Africa CDC announced, “Africa CDC confirms the first mpox case in North Africa for 2024, reported by Morocco’s Ministry of Health” on September 12.
With Morocco’s report, a total of 15 African Union member states have now documented cases of mpox, with occurrences spanning across every region of the continent, the Africa CDC noted.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans from infected animals and can also spread between humans through close physical contact. The disease, which can sometimes be fatal, results in symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and large, boil-like skin lesions.
The 32-year-old patient from Marrakesh has “tested positive and is receiving treatment,” the Africa CDC reported. The Moroccan authorities have activated emergency operations, deployed a rapid response team, and commenced epidemiological investigations and contact tracing, the statement added.
Morocco’s health ministry separately confirmed that the patient is being treated at a specialised medical centre in Marrakesh and is “in a stable health condition that does not give cause for concern.” No symptoms have been reported among those who have been in contact with the patient, according to the ministry.
The World Health Organisation declared an international emergency on August 14, due to a surge in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has spread to neighbouring countries.
According to Africa CDC figures, the majority of cases are concentrated in Central Africa. Since the beginning of the year, 26,544 cases have been reported across the 15 affected countries, with 5,732 confirmed. The agency has also reported 724 deaths.
