Hantavirus: no specific measures at Morocco’s points of entry at this stage

"This is not Covid-19," said the Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Dr Mohamed El Youbi, seeking to reassure the public amid concerns over hantavirus cases detected abroad.

The current situation in Morocco presents "no risk" at this stage, the official told Médias24, describing the epidemiological risk as "low, if not virtually non-existent."

At this stage, no specific protocols at the Kingdom’s points of entry are deemed necessary, and no systematic screening is being considered, as such a measure would be "unjustified" in the current context.

The Ministry of Health is nevertheless continuing, as usual, to strengthen its monitoring and response system, with constant surveillance of the situation, even when it is considered marginal or unlikely to have any significant impact, the official added. "As with every health alert, the authorities carry out a preliminary risk assessment as soon as the first reports emerge and monitor the international protocols implemented in the countries concerned, particularly regarding evacuation, repatriation and case management."

The official also sought to reassure the public about Morocco’s national detection and response capacities. Moroccan laboratories have, if needed, the necessary resources for testing, surveillance and virological monitoring, with such analyses already forming part of their routine activities.

Dr El Youbi also recalled that the strain currently identified is transmissible only through direct, prolonged and close contact, which sharply limits the risk of transmission.

"At this stage, there is no possibility of contact between cases detected abroad and the Moroccan population," he said, while also urging the public "not to give in to alarmism."

The evacuation of more than one hundred people of 23 nationalities was continuing on Monday, May 11, from the Canary Islands, following a health alert linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Among the first evacuees, several positive cases have been reported, notably in the United States and France, where close contacts have also been identified. Some patients have mild symptoms, while one case in France has deteriorated.

In France, a decree was signed on Monday setting out measures to contain the spread of the outbreak. It provides, in particular, for up to six weeks of quarantine for close contacts.