Morocco has reported its first case of mpox in the tourist city of Marrakesh, marking the first case in North Africa since the World Health Organization declared an international emergency last month.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case in a statement on Thursday.
“Africa CDC confirms the first mpox case in North Africa for 2024, reported by Morocco’s Ministry of Health on September 12,” the statement read.
This brings the total number of African Union member states reporting cases to 15, now covering every region of the continent, according to the Africa CDC.
Mpox, which was previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans from infected animals. It can also spread from person to person through close physical contact. The disease can sometimes be deadly and is known to cause fever, muscle aches, and large, boil-like skin lesions.
The patient, a 32-year-old from Marrakesh, “tested positive and is receiving treatment,” according to the Africa CDC. “The Moroccan authorities have activated emergency operations, deployed a rapid response team, and begun epidemiological investigations and contact tracing,” the statement added.
Morocco’s Ministry of Health also confirmed that the patient is receiving care at a specialized medical center in Marrakesh and is “in a stable health condition that does not give cause for concern.” The ministry further noted that no one who has been in contact with the patient is currently showing symptoms.
The World Health Organization 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 since spread to nearby countries.
According to Africa CDC figures, since the beginning of the year, 26,544 cases of mpox have been reported in the 15 affected African countries, with 5,732 confirmed cases and 724 deaths. Most of these cases have been reported in Central Africa.
