Diphtheria in Morocco: Warning in Agadir and Casablanca schools

Suspected diphtheria cases in Casablanca have been mobilized by parents' associations and education departments, after this infection was confined to two family clusters in Agadir-Edoutnane province, less than a week after the alert issued by the Ministry of Health on September 28. From Agadir to Casablanca, the first epicenter of diphtheria belongs to the region of Souss-Massa , where the health authorities registered two family clusters in the Agadir-Edoutnane region. With the registration of suspected cases in Casablanca, the case shifted from A local focus to a file followed by students' parents at the national level, especially as it coincides with the beginning of the school season. Parents' demands The Parents' Authorities called for enhancing coordination between the Ministries of Health and National Education, strengthening health vigilance within educational institutions, and responding quickly to any suspected case in accordance with the directives of the health authorities. It also called on families to check their children's vaccination records and complete the recommended doses, as vaccination is the first line of defense against the disease. Educational directives in Agadir. For its part, the Regional Directorate of Agadir Edautan issued directives for educational institutions that include organizing activities to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of vaccination, ventilating departments and sterilizing facilities, in addition to daily monitoring of any suspected symptoms among students and immediate coordination with health centers and families, with the obligation to submit periodic reports to the Directorate. Educational sources stressed that the situation "is not a cause for concern, but it does not tolerate complacency." What next? Puts the potential transmission of Souss-Massa Casablanca put additional pressure on health and educational interests to contain any new foci, in an infectious bacterial disease transmitted through respiratory spray and mainly targeting children who are not fully vaccinated. The strict application of the preventive protocol in educational institutions, along with the adherence of families to official vaccination schedules, remains the decisive factor in limiting the spread of infections in the coming weeks.