Agadir Ida-Outanane schools implement diphtheria prevention measures

The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports in Agadir Ida-Outanane has issued an urgent memorandum to school directors to implement preventive measures against diphtheria. This action follows a report from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection regarding the epidemiological situation in the Souss-Massa region.

The health ministry reported two limited family clusters of diphtheria in Agadir Ida-Outanane and Chtouka Ait Baha, including two deaths and eight cases undergoing laboratory investigation. One case has been laboratory-confirmed.

The educational directive focuses on two main pillars: awareness and surveillance. Awareness efforts include organizing campaigns for students and staff regarding hygiene and the importance of vaccination, as well as urging parents to ensure children complete their required vaccine doses. Surveillance measures require regular ventilation of classrooms, disinfection of surfaces and sanitary facilities, and daily monitoring for symptoms such as fever, acute sore throat, or breathing difficulties. School administrators are required to provide periodic reports on the implementation of these measures.