Morocco has reported its first mpox case of 2024, marking the first instance in North Africa since the World Health Organization, WHO, declared an international emergency last month.
The 32-year-old patient from Marrakesh tested positive for the virus and is currently receiving treatment, Africa CDC confirmed.
This latest case brings the total number of African Union member states reporting mpox to 15, covering all regions of the continent. The Morocco Ministry of Health has initiated emergency operations, deployed a rapid response team, and begun epidemiological investigations along with contact tracing efforts. Authorities confirm that no other contacts have shown symptoms, and the patient is stable.
Mpox, is transmitted through close physical contact and causes fever, muscle aches, and large boil-like skin lesions. The WHO declared an international emergency on August 14 due to the spread of a new Clade 1b strain, primarily affecting Central Africa. Africa CDC reports over 26,500 cases across 15 African countries, with more than 700 deaths recorded.
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WHO has prequalified the MVA-BN vaccine, the first mpox vaccine to be added to its list, ensuring broader and faster access to the vital product. This approval is expected to expedite vaccine availability in areas most affected by the current outbreak, particularly in Africa.
Developed by Bavarian Nordic A/S, the MVA-BN vaccine was reviewed by the European Medicines Agency. It is administered as a two-dose injection, four weeks apart, and can be stored at 2–8°C for up to eight weeks after cold storage.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the significance of this step in curbing the spread of mpox, calling for urgent vaccine procurement and distribution to communities in need. WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Yukiko Nakatani noted that the prequalification will help speed up the global procurement process, enhancing access through organizations like Gavi and UNICEF.
Over 120 countries have confirmed more than 103,000 cases of mpox since the onset of the global outbreak in 2022. In 2024 alone, there were 25,237 suspected and confirmed cases and 723 deaths from different outbreaks in 14 countries of the African Region based on data from 8 September 2024.
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