The Zamfara State Government has confirmed four new cases of poliomyelitis, even as a major vaccination campaign targets 1.4 million children across the northwestern Nigerian state. The disclosure was made by Murtala Salaudeen, Incident Manager of the Zamfara State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), during a media briefing.
Salaudeen stated that the three cases in Gummi Local Government Area and one in Tsafe Local Government Area were identified through ongoing surveillance. This detection coincides with a state-wide polio immunisation drive scheduled from March 7 to March 13, 2026. To ensure comprehensive coverage, 1,997 vaccination teams have been deployed for house-to-house visits in all 17 local government areas.
As an incentive to increase participation, vaccination teams are distributing packs of noodles to children who receive the oral polio vaccine. This strategy aims to improve turnout during the campaign period.
The new cases follow a period of significant progress; Zamfara recorded 16 polio cases in 2024 but reported zero cases throughout 2025. Salaudeen described the absence of cases last year as a notable achievement in the state’s eradication efforts. However, he cautioned that the recent detections underscore the persistent risk of resurgence, urging parents and caregivers to prioritise vaccination.
He assured the public of the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, calling on community leaders, health workers, and stakeholders to actively support the campaign to ensure no child is left unvaccinated. The intensified efforts in Zamfara are part of Nigeria’s broader, ongoing battle to eliminate wild poliovirus, a disease that can cause permanent paralysis but is preventable through vaccination. Sustained community engagement and high immunisation coverage remain critical to securing lasting zero-case status in the region.
