The Moroccan health ministry has confirmed a case of mpox in a man located in Marrakech.
This marks the first discovery of its kind since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing outbreak a global health emergency last month.
The declaration was made in response to the swift spread of a new variant, or clade, of the virus in central Africa. Moroccan officials have not yet disclosed which variant the infected individual has contracted.
According to the health ministry, the man is undergoing treatment and remains in stable condition. Authorities are actively tracing and monitoring all individuals who have been in contact with him. As of Thursday afternoon, none of them have shown any symptoms, per the official statement.
Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person.
It can also be transmitted by handling virus-contaminated items, such as bedding, clothing, or towels.
In most cases, the infection clears up on its own within 14 to 21 days. However, it can be deadly, especially for vulnerable groups, such as young children.
Severe cases may involve widespread lesions, particularly affecting the mouth, eyes, and genital areas.
The WHO advises that treatment focuses on caring for the rash, managing pain, and preventing complications.
So far in 2024, over 20,000 cases and 500 deaths have been recorded across 14 African nations, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the epicenter, reporting more than 5,000 cases this year.
While vaccines, seen as critical in curbing the spread, have reached the DRC, logistical challenges may delay their distribution to the hardest-hit areas in the eastern part of the country by several weeks.
When declaring the outbreak a public health emergency on 14 August, WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was “clear that a co-ordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives”.