Morocco is currently battling a significant measles outbreak, with health officials reporting over 25,000 cases and 120 deaths since late 2023 . The outbreak, which began in September 2023, has spread across all 12 regions of the country . Recent data indicates that the situation may be worsening, with one report suggesting the total number of cases has climbed to over 40,000 with nearly 150 deaths . However, more recent reports indicate about 3,600 measles cases and five deaths have been reported in 2025 .
A concerning factor contributing to the outbreak is vaccine hesitancy, exacerbated by misinformation that has lingered since the COVID-19 pandemic . While surveys conducted in 2020 showed a relatively high level of vaccine confidence in Morocco, with 78% of people believing vaccines are safe , hesitancy has seemingly increased, potentially fueled by distrust in vaccines or health authorities .
A survey indicated that almost 38% of health care participants were hesitant or refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19 . 
Moroccan authorities are actively working to contain the measles outbreak through vaccination campaigns . The rise in cases highlights the critical need to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure widespread immunization coverage to protect vulnerable populations from preventable diseases.
The measles outbreak in Morocco serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination and the dangers of misinformation. Addressing vaccine hesitancy through education and building trust in public health initiatives is crucial to preventing future outbreaks and safeguarding public health across Africa.
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