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Health authorities in Spain’s Andalusia region have reported five new measles infections over the past week, raising the total number of cases in 2025 to 72, including 17 patients who recently arrived from Morocco.
The cases are linked to 13 separate outbreaks, seven of which remain active, according to the Andalusian Health Department. Officials said six clusters—four in Málaga and two in Huelva—have been successfully contained after affecting 22 individuals.
Roughly 26% of all cases in the region this year have been traced to Morocco, which is currently grappling with its own large-scale measles resurgence.
“Measles is a highly contagious disease that often spreads silently,” the department said in a public statement, urging unvaccinated individuals, especially children under 1 year old and adults aged 15 to 70, to get immunized. Authorities said 31.9% of local cases were minors and 62.5% adults, with more than a third requiring hospitalization.
Health officials continue to screen for unvaccinated individuals, particularly among recent arrivals from regions where measles is actively circulating.
Since September 2023, Morocco has recorded more than 25,000 measles cases and 120 deaths. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, there were 3,600 additional cases and five deaths, according to Moroccan health authorities.
The outbreak has been fueled by declining vaccination rates, which experts attribute to a surge in anti-vaccine misinformation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the ongoing crisis, Morocco’s Ministry of Health reported a fifth straight week of declining measles cases. Between Feb. 24 and March 2, the country saw a 13% week-over-week drop, with 2,481 new cases recorded, following a 14.9% drop the week prior.
The ministry has extended its national vaccination campaign to boost community immunity and limit the spread of the virus.
The post Measles outbreak in Andalusia tied to cases imported from Morocco appeared first on HESPRESS English – Morocco News.