Zamfara Confirms 38 Cases Of Strange Illness In Two LGAs

The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has reported 38 cases of an unidentified illness, predominantly among adults in Shinkafi Local Government Area, with additional cases reported in Moriki, Zurmi Local Government Area of the state.

According to a situation report by the Ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC), the cases were recorded as of October 29, 2026, prompting the deployment of an emergency response team to investigate the situation and prevent further spread.

The Ministry of Health said it had deployed a multidisciplinary emergency response team, led by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Yusuf Abubakar, to investigate the reported illness and strengthen disease surveillance and response activities in the affected communities.

A statement issued by the ministry’s Information and Public Relations Officer indicated that affected residents were presenting symptoms including fever, headache, loss of appetite, vomiting, body pains, and general body weakness.

Preliminary clinical assessments have identified several possible conditions, including malaria, gastroenteritis, and meningitis, although further laboratory investigations are required to establish the actual cause of the illness.

The visiting medical teams are currently assessing patients in health facilities across Moriki and Shinkafi, providing essential drugs and medical consumables, while collecting clinical samples for laboratory investigations in Sokoto.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nafisa Maradun, has urged residents of the affected communities to seek immediate medical attention whenever they experience any of the reported symptoms.

She also cautioned against self-medication and advised residents to cooperate with health officials as investigations and response activities continue.