Morocco reports Diphtheria death as parents call for stronger school measures

A 12-year-old girl has died after testing positive for diphtheria in Morocco’s Youssoufia province, state broadcaster SNRT News reported, amid recent reports of suspected cases elsewhere in the country.

Hicham Louad, Youssoufia’s regional health delegate, told SNRT that the girl was from a rural village and developed a high fever and breathing difficulties before being transferred to a hospital in Marrakech. Laboratory tests confirmed diphtheria, he said, adding that she later died from complications.

Louad said the girl had not received the diphtheria vaccine during childhood. He described the health situation in the province as stable and said a female relative who had been in contact with the girl was tested and was awaiting results.

The case comes days after Morocco’s Health Ministry reported two limited family clusters of diphtheria in the Souss-Massa region. One case was confirmed by laboratory testing, while eight others remained under investigation, including two people who had died. The ministry had not confirmed diphtheria as the cause of those deaths.

In Casablanca, a schoolgirl was also taken to Al Hassani Provincial Hospital after being suspected of having diphtheria. The Hay Hassani provincial health directorate later confirmed to Hespress that she had tested negative.

The reports have prompted calls from parents’ representatives for stronger health monitoring in schools. Nourredine Akouri, president of Morocco’s National Federation of Parents’ Associations, called for closer coordination between the health and education sectors, faster action when suspected cases emerge and better communication with families.

Akouri also urged parents to check their children’s vaccination records and ensure they have received recommended doses, noting that vaccination remains the main preventive measure against diphtheria.

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