Third child dies of diphtheria in Morocco

A 12-year-old boy from Ksar El Kebir has died from diphtheria in northern Morocco, marking the third child death from the disease. The boy died early Tuesday at Lalla Meryem Provincial Hospital in Larache after being unvaccinated and receiving intensive care. Health facilities in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region have reported four cases, with three patients recovering.

Parents' associations are demanding urgent vaccination and health monitoring in schools following the deaths. Said Kachani, president of the National Confederation of Parents’ Associations, noted progress in vaccination campaigns but acknowledged delays in preventive actions and coordination. Noureddine Akkouri, president of the National Federation of Parents’ Associations, urged families to check vaccination records and called for closer cooperation between health and education authorities.

Akkouri also demanded stronger health monitoring in schools and regular official updates for families, stating schools must remain safe places for learning. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection primarily affecting the respiratory system, with vaccination being the main preventive measure. Two other children recently died from the disease in Salé’s Sidi Abdellah neighbourhood, where health authorities initiated contact tracing and screening.

Why it mattersThree children have died of diphtheria in Morocco, leading to demands for improved school health measures.

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