Zamfara State Reports 38 Cases of Unidentified Illness

The Zamfara State Government confirmed 38 cases of an unidentified illness in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas as of October 29, 2026. The situation report from the state Ministry of Health’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, signed by Suleiman Isah, indicated that the majority of cases were among adults in Shinkafi, with additional cases in Moriki, Zurmi.

Symptoms reported include fever, headache, loss of appetite, vomiting, body pains, and general weakness. Preliminary assessments suggested malaria, gastroenteritis, and meningitis as possible causes, but further laboratory investigations are necessary to determine the actual cause.

A multidisciplinary emergency response team led by Dr Yusuf Abubakar Shinkafi has been deployed to investigate and strengthen disease surveillance. Medical teams are assessing patients and providing essential drugs while collecting clinical samples for laboratory testing in Sokoto.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, urged residents to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms. Delayed presentation at health facilities due to self-medication was noted as a challenge.