Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Translated by Grok AIX
Diphtheria: one case biologically confirmed in Souss-Massa, two family clusters detected
Monday 28 September 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
At this stage, only one case of diphtheria has been biologically confirmed in the Souss-Massa region, Médias24 has learned from the Territorial Health Group of the region. 8 cases are under investigation, including two deaths.The confirmed case is the third brother of the two who died recently in the region.
According to the GST of Souss-Massa, “the two deceased brothers arrived dead at the proximity hospital in Biougra” (Mokhtar Soussi Hospital, editor’s note).
The GST thus specifies that at this stage, “only one case has been biologically confirmed by PCR. He is under surveillance.”
“The situation nevertheless remains very stable. There is no need to be overly alarmed,” the Group also told us.
Vaccination status at issue
Still according to the same source, these three people were not vaccinated against diphtheria. The situation thus highlights the importance of vaccination, in a context of increased reluctance among part of the population since the Covid-19 crisis.
The same phenomenon had been observed with measles, with cases recorded in a context of declining vaccination coverage.
“We are therefore currently mobilized to vaccinate and raise awareness among the population, in order to recall that vaccination constitutes the main means of prevention against diphtheria.
”Two limited family clusters, eight cases under investigation and biological confirmation
In a communiqué published this Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Health for its part specifies that two limited family clusters of diphtheria have been detected, respectively in the prefecture of Agadir Ida-Outanane and the province of Chtouka Aït Baha, in the Souss-Massa region.
It also specified that one case has been confirmed in the laboratory, thus confirming the GST’s statements, while eight other cases are currently the subject of investigations and biological confirmations, including two deaths.
“The available data indicate that the children concerned by these clusters had not been vaccinated against the disease or had not received the full recommended vaccination doses,” the Ministry’s communiqué adds.
An epidemiological investigation launched in parallel with an active search for other cases“
As soon as these cases were detected, the epidemiological response protocol in force was activated. The rapid epidemiological intervention teams of the GST of Souss-Massa thus launched an epidemiological investigation and an active search for other cases, as well as the identification and follow-up of persons who had been in contact with the cases concerned. Preventive antibiotic treatment and vaccination are also provided in accordance with the health measures in force.”
“Diphtheria is an infectious disease that is transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets and can, in some cases, lead to serious complications. Vaccination, with compliance with the recommended doses and boosters, remains the main means of prevention against this disease,” the Ministry also recalls.
An international context marked by the emergence of diphtheria in several countries“
The detection of these cases occurs in an international context marked, in recent years, by a re-emergence of diphtheria in several countries, parallel to the challenges linked to the decline in vaccination coverage and the spread of false information about vaccines,” the supervising Ministry specifies.
In the event of the appearance of symptoms that may be linked to the disease, the Ministry calls for going without delay to the nearest health facility in order to benefit from an appropriate diagnosis and treatment, while avoiding close contacts until the medical evaluation.
In this context, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection calls on mothers, fathers and guardians of children to check their children’s vaccination records, to catch up on any missing doses and to respect the national vaccination schedule.
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Diphtheria: Two family clusters detected in the Souss-Massa region
Yasmine Saih
Monday, September 28, 2026 - 3:13 PM
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection reported two limited family outbreaks of diphtheria, detected in the prefecture of Agadir Ida-Outanane and the province of Chtouka Aït Baha, in the Souss-Massa region. Two deaths were recorded.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, one case has been confirmed by laboratory analysis, while eight other cases are currently undergoing investigation and biological confirmation.
It also appears that the children involved in these outbreaks had never been vaccinated against the disease or had not received all the recommended doses of vaccination.
In this context, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection calls on mothers, fathers and guardians of children to check their vaccination records, to catch up on any missing doses and to respect the national vaccination schedule.
The same source added that the current epidemic response protocol has been activated, and the rapid epidemiological intervention teams under the Souss-Massa territorial health group have undertaken epidemiological investigations and an active search for possible other cases.
They also proceeded to identify and monitor people who had been in contact with the cases concerned, while ensuring preventive treatment with antibiotics and vaccination, in accordance with the health measures in force.
The ministry explains that the detection of these cases comes in an international context marked, in recent years, by the reappearance of diphtheria in several countries, alongside the challenges related to the decline in vaccination coverage and the spread of false information concerning vaccines.
Finally, it emphasizes that, in the event of the appearance of symptoms that may be related to the disease, the ministry recommends going without delay to the nearest health facility in order to benefit from an appropriate diagnosis and treatment, while avoiding close contact until the medical evaluation.
fr.hespress.com
Diphtheria: one case biologically confirmed in Souss-Massa, two family clusters detected
Monday 28 September 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
At this stage, only one case of diphtheria has been biologically confirmed in the Souss-Massa region, Médias24 has learned from the Territorial Health Group of the region. 8 cases are under investigation, including two deaths.The confirmed case is the third brother of the two who died recently in the region.
According to the GST of Souss-Massa, “the two deceased brothers arrived dead at the proximity hospital in Biougra” (Mokhtar Soussi Hospital, editor’s note).
The GST thus specifies that at this stage, “only one case has been biologically confirmed by PCR. He is under surveillance.”
“The situation nevertheless remains very stable. There is no need to be overly alarmed,” the Group also told us.
Vaccination status at issue
Still according to the same source, these three people were not vaccinated against diphtheria. The situation thus highlights the importance of vaccination, in a context of increased reluctance among part of the population since the Covid-19 crisis.
The same phenomenon had been observed with measles, with cases recorded in a context of declining vaccination coverage.
“We are therefore currently mobilized to vaccinate and raise awareness among the population, in order to recall that vaccination constitutes the main means of prevention against diphtheria.
”Two limited family clusters, eight cases under investigation and biological confirmation
In a communiqué published this Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Health for its part specifies that two limited family clusters of diphtheria have been detected, respectively in the prefecture of Agadir Ida-Outanane and the province of Chtouka Aït Baha, in the Souss-Massa region.
It also specified that one case has been confirmed in the laboratory, thus confirming the GST’s statements, while eight other cases are currently the subject of investigations and biological confirmations, including two deaths.
“The available data indicate that the children concerned by these clusters had not been vaccinated against the disease or had not received the full recommended vaccination doses,” the Ministry’s communiqué adds.
An epidemiological investigation launched in parallel with an active search for other cases“
As soon as these cases were detected, the epidemiological response protocol in force was activated. The rapid epidemiological intervention teams of the GST of Souss-Massa thus launched an epidemiological investigation and an active search for other cases, as well as the identification and follow-up of persons who had been in contact with the cases concerned. Preventive antibiotic treatment and vaccination are also provided in accordance with the health measures in force.”
“Diphtheria is an infectious disease that is transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets and can, in some cases, lead to serious complications. Vaccination, with compliance with the recommended doses and boosters, remains the main means of prevention against this disease,” the Ministry also recalls.
An international context marked by the emergence of diphtheria in several countries“
The detection of these cases occurs in an international context marked, in recent years, by a re-emergence of diphtheria in several countries, parallel to the challenges linked to the decline in vaccination coverage and the spread of false information about vaccines,” the supervising Ministry specifies.
In the event of the appearance of symptoms that may be linked to the disease, the Ministry calls for going without delay to the nearest health facility in order to benefit from an appropriate diagnosis and treatment, while avoiding close contacts until the medical evaluation.
In this context, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection calls on mothers, fathers and guardians of children to check their children’s vaccination records, to catch up on any missing doses and to respect the national vaccination schedule.
------------------------------------
Diphtheria: Two family clusters detected in the Souss-Massa region
Yasmine Saih
Monday, September 28, 2026 - 3:13 PM
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection reported two limited family outbreaks of diphtheria, detected in the prefecture of Agadir Ida-Outanane and the province of Chtouka Aït Baha, in the Souss-Massa region. Two deaths were recorded.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, one case has been confirmed by laboratory analysis, while eight other cases are currently undergoing investigation and biological confirmation.
It also appears that the children involved in these outbreaks had never been vaccinated against the disease or had not received all the recommended doses of vaccination.
In this context, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection calls on mothers, fathers and guardians of children to check their vaccination records, to catch up on any missing doses and to respect the national vaccination schedule.
The same source added that the current epidemic response protocol has been activated, and the rapid epidemiological intervention teams under the Souss-Massa territorial health group have undertaken epidemiological investigations and an active search for possible other cases.
They also proceeded to identify and monitor people who had been in contact with the cases concerned, while ensuring preventive treatment with antibiotics and vaccination, in accordance with the health measures in force.
The ministry explains that the detection of these cases comes in an international context marked, in recent years, by the reappearance of diphtheria in several countries, alongside the challenges related to the decline in vaccination coverage and the spread of false information concerning vaccines.
Finally, it emphasizes that, in the event of the appearance of symptoms that may be related to the disease, the ministry recommends going without delay to the nearest health facility in order to benefit from an appropriate diagnosis and treatment, while avoiding close contact until the medical evaluation.
Diphtérie : deux foyers familiaux détectés dans la région de Souss-Massa
Le ministère de la Santé et de la Protection sociale a fait état de deux foyers familiaux limités de diphtérie, détectés dans la préfecture d’Agadir
fr.hespress.com