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Diphtheria in Salé: reports and health response

This dossier follows reports of diphtheria infections in Salé and the reported health response, distinguishing journalism from official tallies.

Last updated : 3 key moments
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, CDC, 1973. Archive scientific illustration, not a Moroccan sample. Public domain.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, CDC, 1973. Archive scientific illustration, not a Moroccan sample. Public domain. — CDC / Public Health Image Library #7323 / Wikimedia Commons — domaine public, photographie de 1973, sans modification.

Where things stand

As of 30 October 2026, monitoring in Salé forms part of a national tally of around 30 confirmed cases reported by Jawad Hammou; SNRTnews reports three deaths nationwide. These new statements provide no detailed Salé-specific tally.

Reported information

Diphtheria: health official reports 30 confirmed cases in Morocco

Jawad Hammou, an official at the epidemiology directorate, reported around 30 confirmed diphtheria cases in Morocco in statements published on 29 and 30 October 2026.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, CDC, 1973. Archive scientific illustration, not a Moroccan sample. Public domain.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, CDC, 1973. Archive scientific illustration, not a Moroccan sample. Public domain. — CDC / Public Health Image Library #7323 / Wikimedia Commons — domaine public, photographie de 1973, sans modification.

He told SNRTnews that three deaths had been recorded and booster vaccination was available, particularly for frontline staff. Speaking to Hespress, he described scattered cases and a stable situation.

The figures remain attributed to the official: the sources reviewed provide no detailed national breakdown by region and date.

Sources 2
Reported information

Diphtheria: parents’ associations call for stronger prevention in schools

Parents’ association representatives are seeking stronger health surveillance and better coordination between health and education authorities, Hespress reported on 27 October 2026. Their appeal follows reports of diphtheria, including in Salé.

Stethoscope, generic 2024 illustration. It does not depict a Moroccan facility or recruitment process. Ryan Kissinger / NIAID, public domain.
Stethoscope, generic 2024 illustration. It does not depict a Moroccan facility or recruitment process. Ryan Kissinger / NIAID, public domain. — Ryan Kissinger / NIAID / NIH BioArt 501 / Wikimedia Commons — domaine public, 2024, sans modification.

Said Kechani, of the national confederation of parents’ associations, describes awareness efforts and coordination difficulties. Noureddine Akkouri, of the national federation, calls for precise official information for families and preventive action in schools.

These statements express the associations’ demands. They do not establish transmission within schools or the adoption of a new nationwide response. A detailed assessment of the Salé cluster still needs to be documented by an official health source.

Sources 3
Reported information

Media report two child deaths linked to diphtheria in Salé

On 26 October, Hespress reported the deaths of two children from the same family in Salé, attributed to diphtheria by its sources. LeBrief carried the information on 27 October; a detailed official account of this cluster remains to be obtained.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae, CDC micrograph from 1973. Scientific illustration; not a sample from Salé. Public domain.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, CDC micrograph from 1973. Scientific illustration; not a sample from Salé. Public domain. — CDC / Public Health Image Library #7323 / Wikimedia Commons — domaine public, photographie de 1973, sans modification.

According to the informed sources cited by Hespress, the response concerns Sidi Abdellah in El Ayayda district. More than 40 direct contacts were reportedly identified and received preventive measures.

The newspaper mentions isolation and treatment facilities at Moulay Abdellah hospital and Tabriquet local hospital. These details remain attributed to its reporting: the follow-up articles consulted do not establish independent confirmation of the death toll or infection count.

Sources 3