A 12-year-old boy has died of diphtheria in northern Morocco, bringing the number of recently reported child deaths from the disease to three and prompting parents’ associations to demand urgent vaccination and health monitoring in schools.
The boy, from Ksar El Kebir, died early Tuesday at Lalla Meryem Provincial Hospital in Larache after several days in intensive care, according to Hespress sources. He had not been vaccinated against diphtheria.
Health facilities in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region have recorded four confirmed cases, including three patients who received treatment and returned home.
The latest death follows those of two children in Salé’s Sidi Abdellah neighbourhood, where health authorities launched contact tracing, vaccination and medical screening measures to contain the spread.
Parents call for faster intervention
Said Kachani, president of the National Confederation of Parents’ Associations, said vaccination campaigns were progressing in northern Morocco but acknowledged delays in preventive action and shortcomings in coordination.
Noureddine Akkouri, president of the National Federation of Parents’ Associations, urged families to verify their children’s vaccination records and called for closer cooperation between health and education authorities.
He also demanded stronger health monitoring in schools and regular official updates for families.
“Schools must remain safe places for learning,” Akkouri told Hespress, warning against waiting for infections to spread before taking action.
Diphtheria is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that primarily affects the respiratory system. Vaccination is the main preventive measure.
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