184 Measles Related Fatalities Reported in Morocco

When the U.S. CDC issued a global Travel Health Advisory for 57 countries reporting measles outbreaks in March 2025, it should have included the Kingdom of Morocco, where measles has become endemic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) DON568, more than 25,000 suspected measles cases were reported from all 12 regions in this northwest African country from October 2023 through April 13, 2025, and 184 related fatalities.

The first cases were reported in the Souss Massa region in central Morocco, before spreading to additional provinces.

Recently, the WHO reported a declining trend in cases observed for ten consecutive weeks in 2025.

As of May 13, 2025, genomic characterization of measles virus specimens collected during Morocco's 2024–2025 outbreak revealed the exclusive circulation of genotype B3, which is common in many parts of Africa and associated with outbreaks globally. 

The measles vaccine was introduced into Morocco's national immunization schedule in 2003. According to WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage, Morocco has been below the 95% threshold required to achieve the elimination goal for the last three years.

The WHO reports that the overall risk is assessed as moderate at the national and regional levels, particularly given the risk of cross-border transmission in areas with low vaccination coverage.

The CDC does recommend that international travelers be protected against this highly transmissible virus before visiting at-risk areas in May 2025.