Moroccan health authorities say the risk of hantavirus reaching the country remains “very weak” and close to zero, despite growing international attention surrounding recent infections reported abroad.
Mohamed El Youbi, director of epidemiology and disease control at Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, said the situation in the Kingdom remains “very reassuring” and does not currently justify public concern.
Speaking to local media, El Youbi said the outbreak drawing international attention involved a cruise ship where only four confirmed cases were recorded among passengers who had spent an extended period together onboard.
He noted that other individuals identified as contacts are being monitored and placed under quarantine as precautionary measures.
Authorities stress Morocco not directly exposed
According to El Youbi, no Moroccan citizens were aboard the affected vessel, and none of the passengers are expected to visit Morocco in the coming weeks, making the likelihood of the virus entering the country extremely low.
He added that Morocco has prepared protocols to handle any potential suspected case, including designated laboratories for testing and facilities for quarantine and medical isolation if necessary.
El Youbi also emphasized that hantavirus is not a newly discovered disease and has long been known within the medical community. He said the World Health Organization and international experts continue to monitor the situation closely.
Increased vigilance at ports and airports
Moroccan authorities have nevertheless increased health surveillance measures at ports and airports, particularly in northern regions, amid heightened concern in neighboring Spain.
Regional meetings were reportedly held last week in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region to raise awareness about the virus and review the global and regional epidemiological situation.
Officials stressed that these measures are preventive and aimed at ensuring preparedness rather than responding to an immediate threat.
Cruise ship cases draw international attention
The heightened vigilance follows the evacuation Sunday of around 100 passengers and crew members from the cruise ship “MV Hondius” at a port in Tenerife, according to Spanish health authorities.
The strain identified aboard the ship, known as Andes hantavirus, is considered rare because it can spread from person to person. Health authorities in several countries are currently tracing contacts and carrying out testing to prevent wider transmission.
Experts say the incubation period for the virus can range from six to eight weeks.
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