France announces the import of measles from Morocco

The French health authorities have announced a noticeable increase in the number of measles imported since the beginning of 2025, as a result of the outbreak of the disease in Morocco.

The Regional Health Agency (ARS) said that 13 imported or related cases were recorded in imported cases from Morocco in several French regions since the beginning of the year, compared to 26 cases in 2024, bringing the total or related cases to 39 cases between 2024 and 2025.

The same agency confirmed, as part of a document dedicated to health care professionals, Hespress has a copy of it, that the virus aims in particular children under the age of 5 years, as 12 cases were recorded in this category, in addition to adult young people who represent 20 cases, explaining that among the total of the vast majority of the vaccine did not receive the vaccine (23 cases), while 9 cases are not sure of their recipient status.

Statistics indicate that the disease caused serious complications that required the transfer of 26 people to the hospital in 2024 and 2025, including 11 cases during January 2025 only, which reflects the risk of the disease in the absence of sufficient immunity.

The document mentioned the measles transmission methods and the infection period, which is stated that it is transmitted across the air through respiratory spray or touching contaminated surfaces, and increased: “The infection begins one day before the appearance of the early symptoms, or about 5 days before the rash, and lasts up to 5 days after its appearance. During this period, the affected person can transmit the infection to up to 20 people, which explains the speed of the disease in the absence of preventive measures. Therefore, it is not recommended to go to the hospital in the absence of dangerous signs, in order to avoid the transmission of infection to others.

The same body stated that “vaccination is the primary solution to prevention, while measles vaccination is mandatory in France for all children, adolescents and youth born after 1980; It is also mandatory before joining the collective institutions of all infants who have been born since January 1, 2018.

In addition, it is recommended in France to vaccinate the unjust people or who received an incomplete dose, and the newborn after 1980, regardless of their previous injury to measles; The agency indicated that they can receive at least two doses, or three doses if the first dose was taken before the age of 12 months.