Morocco Takes Precautions as Monkeypox Spreads: Marrakech Counts Jamaa El Fna Square Monkeys

After Covid-19, the world will have to face another virus: monkeypox or monkeypox. This is an endemic disease in West Africa that manifests itself with fever, muscle aches and a skin rash, and has no known treatment. However, the viral infection heals on its own. Several countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom or Canada have recorded monkeypox infections. To prevent this disease, Morocco has taken some measures.

For a few days now, the authorities in Marrakech have been counting the monkeys used by the Halqa performers on Jamaa El Fna square, reports the Arabic-language daily Al Akhbar. In addition to the census, the Marrakech authorities have asked the Halqa performers, the workers of Jamaa El Fna square to vaccinate their monkeys, monitor their health, and keep the monkeys as far away as possible from visitors to the square, with a ban for the latter to touch the animals.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection presented its national monkeypox surveillance and response plan. On Monday, three suspected cases of monkeypox were recorded in Morocco.