UNICEF Confirms Polio Outbreak in Kano, Eight Other States Amid Low Immunization Coverage

A fresh wave of polio has resurfaced in Nigeria, with Kano State and eight others grappling with new cases of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2), according to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Rahama Farah, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, disclosed the development during a high-level meeting with government officials and development partners. He attributed the resurgence to low routine immunization rates, particularly in hard-to-reach and high-risk communities, warning that the country’s recent gains in eradicating polio are now under threat.

Farah revealed that Nigeria has recorded 83 cases of cVPV2 in 2024, citing Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa as some of the worst-affected states. He raised concern over the large population of “zero-dose” children—those who have not received even a single dose of the polio vaccine—especially in Kano, which continues to serve as a hotspot for vaccine-preventable diseases.

“This is a worrying trend that calls for immediate and collective action,” Farah said, urging government agencies, traditional leaders, and healthcare providers to strengthen immunization campaigns and reach children in underserved communities.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicating the disease by June 2025. He pledged increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and community-driven health programs to ensure that every child is vaccinated.

“We are determined to defeat polio once and for all,” Yusuf affirmed, promising to support every effort aimed at reaching vulnerable populations with life-saving vaccines.

UNICEF, alongside its global partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the GAVI Alliance, also pledged continued support for Nigeria in halting the spread of the virus and safeguarding the health of future generations.