Zamfara Govt Confirms Four New Polio Cases, Intensifies Vaccination Drive

By Abah Margaret

The Zamfara State Government has confirmed four new cases of Poliomyelitis (polio) in the state as health authorities intensify vaccination efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

The Incident Manager of the Zamfara State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Murtala Salaudeen, disclosed this during a media briefing.

Salaudeen said the cases were detected in two local government areas, with three cases recorded in Gummi Local Government Area and one in Tsafe Local Government Area.

He explained that the discovery comes as the state begins a fresh round of polio immunisation targeting about 1.4 million children between March 7 and March 13, 2026.

According to him, the government has deployed 1,997 vaccination teams across communities to ensure the success of the campaign and reach every eligible child through house-to-house visits.

Salaudeen added that the teams are also distributing packs of noodles to children who receive the vaccine as part of strategies to encourage participation in the immunisation exercise.

He noted that Zamfara recorded 16 cases of polio in 2024 but reported no cases in 2025, describing the development as a sign of progress in the state’s fight against the disease.

However, he stressed the need for sustained efforts to prevent a resurgence, urging parents and caregivers to make their children available for vaccination.

Health authorities say continued immunisation and public cooperation remain critical to eliminating polio and safeguarding children from the disease.