The Zamfara State Government has confirmed 38 cases of an unidentified illness in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas, prompting the deployment of an emergency medical team to investigate the outbreak.
The cases, which were predominantly recorded among adults, were reported in Shinkafi and Moriki community in Zurmi Local Government Area as of October 29, 2026.
The State Ministry of Health disclosed that affected residents had presented symptoms including fever, headaches, loss of appetite, vomiting, body pains and general body weakness.
According to a situation report from the ministry’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, a multidisciplinary response team has been mobilised to determine the cause of the illness and prevent further transmission.
The team, led by the Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Abubakar, is also strengthening disease surveillance and emergency response activities in the affected communities.
Preliminary medical assessments have identified malaria, gastroenteritis and meningitis as possible causes of the reported symptoms.
However, the ministry said further laboratory investigations were necessary to establish the actual cause of the illness.
Medical personnel deployed to the affected areas are assessing patients in health facilities across Shinkafi and Moriki communities, while providing essential drugs and other medical supplies.
Clinical samples have also been collected and forwarded to Sokoto for laboratory analysis.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Maradun, urged residents of the affected communities to seek prompt medical attention if they experience any of the symptoms associated with the illness.
She also warned against self-medication and called on residents to cooperate with health officials as investigations and containment efforts continue.
The state government has yet to establish the specific disease responsible for the reported cases.
